capitalgains - Development News

$757,300 East Lansing Hawk Nest Park Improvement Moving Forward

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The City of East Lansing got a nice “Happy Holiday’s” package in the form of $757,300 worth of grants that will be used to improves the city’s parks system.

A $262,500 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grant will help fund a $350,000 improvement plan for Hawk Nest Park. Hawk Nest Park improvements will include a new playground and picnic pavilion and accessible walkways. The improvements funded by this grant will also include a one-third mile addition to the Northern Tier Trail.

An additional $429,000 MNRTF grant will pay for a 2.93 acre land acquisition from the White Family for the expansion of the park. This expansion will provide a location for a trailhead/park entry plaza and space for additional connections to the Northern Tier Trail.

A final $65,800 grant will pay for a 1.75 acre land acquisition from the St. Paul Lutheran Church on Lake Lansing Road. This parcel will eventually provide pedestrian access to the park from the north.

“Through assistance from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and in-kind donations from the White Family Trust and the St. Paul Lutheran Church we are able to acquire more lands for public outdoor recreation, while also funding improvements and additions to the public amenities already present at the two park sites,” says East Lansing Parks Director Timothy McCaffrey.

“Outdoor recreation for our community members continues to be a priority for the City. This funding will help to improve the quality of life in our community substantially.”

Source: Mikell Frey, City of East Lansing

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

Eaton County Completes $402,000 Potterville Park Project

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Eaton County Parks Department finished a $402,000, yearlong renovation of the Fox Memorial Park in Potterville.

The renovation, which is part of the Eaton County Parks Department’s five-year master plan, includes a new restroom and concession building, a new fishing observation deck, a new walkway and new park benches.

“We were replacing some structures that had been built in the late 1970s and early 1980s,” says Dan Patton, director of the Eaton County Parks Department.

The renovations also include a wheelchair accessible water access point.

“This is one of the only outdoor public swimming facilities in the county,” Patton says. “It’s really user friendly and caters to families with young children.”

The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board and the Capital Region Community Foundation paid for the majority of the renovations.

Source: Dan Patton, Eaton County Parks Department

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

Restaurateur Settles Into 2,300 Sq Ft Corner Bar Venture

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Restaurateur Curtis Turner chose a prime piece of real estate on Lansing’s Eastside to start his latest restaurant venture.

Turner took over the former lesbian bar, Club 505, located at 505 E. Shiawassee St. Turner’s opened up the once dark 2,300 square foot bar by adding large exterior windows, exposing the ceiling and refinishing the bar.

“We’ve been getting a lot of curiosity type of traffic,” he says. “It’s slowly increasing.”

Turner says he simply couldn’t resist opening a bar in such a well trafficked location. The Corner Bar & Grill is across the street from the Lugnuts Stadium and the City Market. It’s also within walking distance to Downtown Lansing.

“This is what I know best,” Turner says about the restaurant industry. “The location of this is very good and it was a good opportunity financially.”

Turner’s been in the Lansing restaurant business for years. He was the original manager of Troppo in downtown Lansing. He’s also invested in a Pita Pit in Mt. Pleasant and an ice cream shop in Haslett.

Source: Curtis Turner, Corner Bar & Grill

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

Eastsider Transforms Old Scuba Shop into Nia Fitness Studio

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Winalee Zeeb is transforming ZZ Underwater World into the Heart Dance Studio, a fitness, wellness and community gathering space designed to help individuals marry mind, body and spirit.

"I want people to learn to love their body instead of other things," she says.

Zeeb was an avid fitness instructor, teaching a wide range of classes including step. After suffering physical injuries, Zeeb turned to exercise that could shape mind, body and spirit.

Zeeb is now one of only 11 certified Nia trainers in the world. According to the Nia official Web site, Nia “simultaneously addresses the body, mind, emotions, and spirit, and puts them on the 'same page' using music, movement and personal expression to integrate one’s neurology." Zeeb also teaches yoga and plans to offer both classes at the Heart Dance Studio.

Zeeb wants other groups to utilize the space. She’s renovating the building to include a fitness area as well as a community-based, education, or meeting area.

Zeeb and her husband, Ron, ran Zeeb Underwater World for more than 20 years. The Heart Dance Studio will occupy Zeeb Underwater World’s 1806 East Michigan Ave. location. Zeeb is hopeful that the renovations to the building will be complete in January.

Source: Winalee Zeeb, Heart Dance Studio

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

Fast-Growing Tranquility Massage Expands into Williamston Location

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Amanda Campbell expanded her massage studio, Tranquility Massage, into the space occupied by Profiles Hair Design Studio in Williamston.

Campbell started her business out of her home in Howell in August 2007. She decided to expand her business into the commercial space to accommodate growing demand for her services. She maintains her Howell location as well.

“I’m looking to maybe, within the next three years or so, open a parlor, which would have five rooms to get massages,” she says. “I haven’t decided on a location yet.”

Campbell specializes in tandem massage therapy. As the name suggests, this type of therapy involves tag team treatment by two massage therapists.

Three massage therapists work for Campbell. Tranquility massage is located at 110 North Putnam Ave. in Williamston.

Source: Amanda Campbell, Tranquility Massage

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

New Scuba and Dive Shop Surfaces in Old Town Lansing

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

One of the few remaining vacant retail spaces in Old Town Lansing is becoming an underwater haven of sorts.

Connie and John Iszler just opened their new scuba shop, Capital City Scuba, in the 515 E. Grand River Avenue building.

“It had been a few years since we’d been down here, but when we came to look at the building, we saw that it was clearly a growing area,” John says.

Capital City Scuba and its underwater-themed Caribbean décor fit in well with Old Town’s eclectic personality. The shop has a multitude of scuba gear and accessories and knowledgeable staff.

Capital City Scuba will also offer several certification classes in the upper portion of the building.

Capital City Scuba is near the Temple Club, Preuss Pets and the future site of the Old Town Medical Arts Building. The Iszlers bought the building in January 2008 and finished renovations before opening it in November 2008.

Source: Jamie Schriner-Hooper, Old Town Commercial Association

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

$4 Million Renovation and Upgrade Underway at Southside Lansing Hotel

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Causeway Bay Group of Companies is putting $4 million into the complete renovation of the 1970s-style former Holiday Inn on Lansing’s Southside.

CausewayBay Group recently took over the 300 room, 30,000 square foot bankrupthotel. Ps-Tse Keung, with Causeway Bay, says the Canadian Companyscoped the hotel for about eight months before making the purchase.

The hotel did not close during the change of owners. Keung has no intentions to close the hotel and will work around bookings.

“The place is basically booked for the next six months,” he says. “We’re doing very well.”

Keung suggests that some local businesses have outsourced events to newer facilities in Grand Rapids and Detroit. "We think this will draw back business that left for Grand Rapids and Detroit,” he says.

The renovation of the former Holiday Innincludes a total gutting. Everything, from the floors to the wallpaper,will be modernized.

“We’re remodeling close to a five-star rating, but we’re concentrating on staying in the three-star price,” he says.

Keungsays that, unlike many hotel takeovers, he plans to hire more employeesrather than cutting jobs. The hotel employs 110 people. Keung expectsto double this number.

“People don’t like to put money in a property like this, draw it out and run away,” Keung says.

Keung will add a fitness facility and other amenities to the hotel. The renovations should be complete by 2010.

“We’rethe one bright spot in the hotel industry—we’re not going bankrupt, andwe won’t because we don’t owe anyone any money,” he says.

Source: Bob Trezise, City of Lansing

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

Farmers Market, Office Space Planned for 22,000 Sq Ft Mason Antique Mall

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Arwyn Carr recently opened a more than 22,400 square foot antique mall in Mason.

The Columbia Street Antique Mall spans across four commercial buildings and includes a farmer’s market, flea market and antique vendors. Carr will use an additional 4,000 square feet for office space.

“Sometimes it’s nice if you have an indoor place where you can come to every weekend,” Carr says about his interest in providing an indoor farmers market. The farmers market is scheduled to open in the fall.

Mason is known for having a wide array of antique stores, many of which are too full to accept new vendors. Carr says he’s received lots of interest from local vendors and has already filled more than 50 booths.

Carr had to make some changes to the former lumberyard to make it suitable for vendors. As the space fills and business grows, Carr says he’ll start holding auctions. Carr and his father collect and sell antique tractors.

Source: Arwyn Carr, Columbia Street Antique Mall

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

Fast-Growing Netvantage Finds New Space, Expects More Employees in 2009

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Netvantage Marketing moved from its 800 square foot Okemos facility into an 1,800 square foot facility in East Lansing.

The Internet marketing firm has been around for less than a year, but had to move in order to keep up with growth.

“We’re always running into space issues in terms of working with clients,” says Joe Ford with Netvantage Marketing. “This is a tremendous increase in space for us.”

Ford wants to add three to four new part-time and full-time employees in 2009. He hopes to have a couple on board by February.

The new location is near the corner of Lake Lansing Road and Hagadorn in East Lansing and in the same building as Capitol Research Services (CRS), a full-service market research agency. Ford says he hopes to create a strong relationship with CRS.

“As demand for our online marketing services grows, we have the opportunity to grow our staff, and our new location will accommodate this,” says Ford. “We are very excited about the prospects of having a synergistic relationship within the complex with Capitol Research Services.”

Source: Laura Sauer, Netvantage Marketing

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

Financial Planning Business Moves Into New Okemos Office, Expects Growth

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

For years, the president of Capital Security Company, William Czerkies, Jr., operated his financial business out of his home. However, he recently moved into a 1,042 square foot office space in Okemos.

“In the space that I have, I could add three more employees comfortably,” he says.

Capital Security Company is a licensed insurance agency that uses life insurance and annuities to assist with estate planning.

“The whole basis of my planning is to put money in safe places,” Czerkies says. “My goal is to make Capital Security a household name in the area.”

Czerkies opened his Okemos office in August, and says the new space will also allow him to hire some new employees. Czerkies plans to start hosting free seminars in January.

Source: Tarwyn Rouse, CB Richard Ellis

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

Meridian Christian Church Holds First Service In New 20,000 Sq Ft Addition

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Meridian Christian Church recently celebrated its 20,000 square foot facility addition by holding its first service in the building.

“This is our first building of any kind,” says Rick Stacy, pastor with the Meridian Christian Church. “This was perfect for the future grow of our ministries and youth program.”

The 16-year-old organization got its start in Meridian Mall, then moved its services to Chippewa Middle School. This is the first time parishioners have worshiped in a place of their own.

The Meridian Christian Church also acquired an 11,000 square foot children’s center from the Okemos Christian Center (OCC). The Meridian Christian Church moved some services into the former OCC building in October.

Stacy says they hope to have a youth center in the facility as well as a worship center and gym. Right now the gym houses the church’s large motor skills preschool program.

The church’s former address is 2630 Bennett Road. The new address is 2600 Bennett Road.

Source: Rick Stacy, Meridian Christian Church

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

Cab Company Keeps the Party Rolling

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Braden Lentz recently started the Party Cab Company, a different kind of cab company that he hopes will be defined by a “party doesn’t stop at the cab ride” mentality, allowing users to pick their own music, smoke and enjoy themselves while catching a ride home.

“Business 101 says, how do you break into the market?” Lentz says. “At any given time there’s probably 50 or 60 cabs out there.”

“I decided to just be nice to people and give them a reason to choose me over them,” he says.

He officially started running his first cab inSeptember. He hopes to have a second by New Year’s, a third by St.Patrick’s Day and a fourth by Michigan State University’s (MSU) 2009 welcome week.

“I’m trying to figure out how to expand without losing quality of service,” he says.

Lentz’s company is based out of his East Lansing home, but he’s looking for a building to house his growing company.

Source: Braden Lentz, Party Cab Company

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

Lansing Chamber Recognizes Six Companies, $120 Million in Investment

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce recently recognized six of the area’s most prosperous organizations, together representing more than $120 million in Capital region investment.

At its third annual Economic Development Celebration Luncheon, the Chamber recognized the following organizations: the Capital Region International Airport; Delta Dental of Michigan; Mahle Engine Components USA Inc.; Niowave Inc.; Two Men and a Truck International Inc.; and Michigan State University's (MSU) Wharton Center.

Okemos-based Mahle is investing $18.2 million to expand its St. John's plant. Delta Dental is investing $85 million to expand its Okemos headquarters, and the Wharton Center is investing $18.5 million to expand its performance facilities.

The Capital Region International Airport was recognized for attaining status as an international port of entry by adding a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Federal Inspection Station to the facility.

Niowave, which produces equipment for atomic research, was recognized for purchasing and renovating the Walnut Street School from the Lansing School District as well as receiving a $41 million contract from Illinois-based FermiLab.

Two Men & A Truck International, a moving company that frequently stands in the national spotlight, was recognized for its many accomplishments, including growing sales to $198.2 million in 2007.

Source: Sarah Smith, Lansing Regional Chamber

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

Potter Park Zoo Plans $1.1 Million Expansion to Bring Black Rhino

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Lansing’s Potter Park Zoo has plans to invest $1.1 million in a rhinoceros exhibit expansion.

The project would include a 500 to 600 square foot addition to the existing, 1,560 square foot rhino building. It would also double the size of the current outdoor rhino yard.

Zoo Director Gerry Brady hopes to add a black rhino to the exhibit. Only 520 black rhinos exist in the wild. More than 60,000 wild black rhinos existed in 1960, Brady says.

“Every single rhino in Kenya has a bodyguard,” Brady says.

Brady is working with the International Rhino Foundation to get a black rhino in the zoo. Brady says doing so will help with breeding and preservation of the rhinos.

“It’s very important for Potter Park Zoo to get this done,” he says. The zoo wants to make sure that it has proper space and accommodations for the black rhino before bringing it to the zoo. “If we’re going to have black rhinos, we’ve got to do it right.”

The Potter Park Zoo has had rhinos since 1990. Brady hopes to have the expansion complete by the fall of 2009.

Source: Gerry Brady, Potter Park Zoo

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

Growing Credit Union Adds 4,000 Sq. Ft. DeWitt Branch, Five Employees

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Auto Body Credit Union opened its 4,000 square foot DeWitt branch in July, giving its growing membership access to an additional branch.

“We wanted to be able to offer our members a full service branch,” says the credit union's president and CEO, Margo Kleinfelt. “We do have membership in that area that we wanted to service in a more convenient way.”

The new branch is on Lindsey Lane and is modeled after Auto Body Credit Union’s 5,000 square foot, Marketplace Blvd. branch, which opened a few years ago.

To staff the two new branches, Auto Body Credit Union added five employees to its payroll.

“We’re experiencing some membership growth,” Kleinfelt says. “We have expanded with serving selected employer groups and their employees, and this positions us to be a more convenient facility.”

Auto Body Credit Union recently merged with an Ionia-based credit union and is ready to start growing each location.

Source: Nicki Badgero, Mayotte Architects

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

Bustling Downtown YMCA Plans Second Expansion in Two Years

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Downtown Lansing YMCA is working on a 3,000 square foot expansion that, if all goes well, should be complete just in time to accommodate the January rush.

The YMCA is expanding its second floor exercise and fitness room space. The 3,000 square foot expansion will include a stretching room, a "mind, body and spirit" room for group yoga and pilates classes, and an area for suspension training and self-defense classes.

Suspension training is the latest in the group fitness trend. Participants use suspension straps that are hung from the ceiling to work various muscle groups. The straps allow them to use their body weight to increase their strength.

YMCA Assistant Executive Director, Ben Wheeler, says the expansion will accommodate growing fitness classes and give members access to a much-needed stretching space.

“It’s across the board that our classes are growing,” he says.

The expansion will also include a second floor bathroom. In 2007, the YMCA expanded the upstairs fitness area by 4,000 square feet. That expansion primarily included additional space for fitness machines and weights.

The Downtown YMCA is hoping to have the latest expansion opened by January.

Source: Ben Wheeler, YMCA

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

New 2,567 Sq. Ft. Tutoring Center Finds Success in Okemos, May Expand

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A+ By Design, a tutoring company, has moved into a 2,567 square foot space in Okemos. A + By Design seeks to help K-12 students succeed at their schoolwork.

“The whole concept is providing supplement teaching or education to any level,” says the owner of A + By Design, Maher Abdmahmoud. Before Abdmahmoud opened his tutoring company, he surveyed area teachers who overwhelming indicated a need for his services.

“I had a big line of teachers coming forward with all subjects,” he says.

Abdmahmoud’s pool of tutors includes teachers who have varying certifications. He also has some graduate students and teacher’s aids. Parents decide which subjects their child needs assistance with, and Abdmahmoud develops a personalized curriculum for the student.

Abdmahmoud has about a dozen clients, but sees continued interest in his services.

“I’m in the process of building the business,” he says, adding that he will invest heavily in the new school year. He also wants to provide summer programs. “The plan is not to stop here. We’re looking at other options. Maybe East Lansing, Lansing or Haslett. The main operations will take place in Okemos.”

A + By Design opened in October.

Source: Tarwyn Rouse, CBRE

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

Former Legislator WIll Tackle Another Old Town Redevelopment Project

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Former state legislator Lingg Brewer is taking on a massive project in Lansing's popular Old Town neighborhood. Brewer is gutting and completely renovating the 308 Grand River building.

The 308 building is one of the few remaining Old Town buildings in need of acomplete renovation. Lingg wants to turn the bottom floor intoexpansive retail space and add several lofts to the upper floor.

The roughly 4,000 square foot building is inbad shape. When Brewer first went into the building, he removed 20semi-loads of trash.

Brewer doesn’t have a deadline for thebuilding’s completion, but he’s renovated a destitute Old Town buildingbefore. Brewer successfully renovated the 317 Grand River building, aformer check cashing store that was covered in bulletproof steel.

“It shook the whole neighborhood when it came down,” Brewer says about removing the bulletproof steel.

Brewer recently found a tenant to fill the bottom half of the building. Vintage clothing store, Scavenger Hunt, is putting in a second location at the 317 location. The beautiful upstairs apartment and rear loft are also occupied.

Source: Lingg Brewer

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

$15 Million Skandalaris Football Center Boosts MSU Football

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Michigan State University (MSU) football is well into a successful season, and one that started with the opening of the new $15 million expansion of the Duffy Daugherty Building.

The expansion included the 25,000 square foot Skandalaris Football Center. The Center hosts team meeting rooms and offices. It also houses the Demmer Family Hall of History.

Bloomfield Hills residents and MSU alumni Robert and Julie Skandalaris contributed $5 million towards the Center.

The Duffy Daugherty Football Building's weight room more than doubled in size, going from a 9,000 square foot facility to 16,500 square foot. The $2 million weight room expansion was completed in September.

Renovations on the building started in June 2007. The team moved into the offices in August of this year.

Source: MSU

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

Lansing Announces $6 Million Neighbhorhood Stabilization Program

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The City of Lansing is using $6 million from the federal government to invest in a Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) that’s intended to redevelop neighborhoods hardest hit by the mortgage crisis.

“We have target areas and they have to be identified on a rate of foreclosure occurrence of sub-prime mortgages and the risk of foreclosure over the next 18 months,” says Lansing's director of Planning and Neighborhood Development, Bob Johnson.

The targeted areas include the following neighborhoods: Southwest Lansing, Vision 2020, Comstock Area, Prudden East Village, Oak Park, Urbandale, Baker Donora and Potter Walsh. The funds will allow the city to acquire, rehab and demolish homes in these areas. It will also allow the city to help with financial assistance.

Johnson says the City already had plans to address issues in five of the eight areas.

“This allows us to address them more quickly and helps us leverage existing resources,” he says.

The City of Lansing received the funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The money is part of the $3.92 billion bailout the federal government gave to assist with housing and economic recovery.

For a detailed look at the City’s plans for each community, click here.

Source: Randy Hannan, City of Lansing

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

$1.25 Million Crippen GMC Renovation Complete

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Just a few short months after breaking ground on a $1.25 million renovation of its car dealership, Crippen GMC is sporting a much more modern look.

The dealer, which is located at 8300 W. Saginaw, has a new front entry, six additional service bays and additional offices and waiting areas. New metal panels were used to update the exterior of the original building.

The dealer also boasts a new 5,000 square foot building to house the Mazda and Volvo car showroom. Grand Rapids-based Wolverine Building managed the renovation.

“This was a fun project and a great Design/Build collaborative effort between the owner and our staff at Wolverine Building,” Jim Ziegler, project manager for Wolverine. “Joint efforts went into upgrading the GM showroom with the goal of separating themselves from the competition.This allowed Wolverine to create a much cleaner and truly distinctive dealership incorporating the latest GM image package.”

Source: Danielle Millisor, Wolverine Building Group

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

Izzo’s Pub in ReoTown Adding New 1,200 Sq Ft Pizzeria

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

“Pizza, beer and atmosphere.”

Izzo’s Pub in Lansing's REO Town neighborhood already has the beer and atmosphere; the pizza component is almost finished.

By the middle of December, Geno Abbey and Mary Izzo will open a 1,200 square foot pizzeria right next to the pub. The pizzeria and pub will be connected by an internal door, so customers can move between the two establishments.

“I wanted to pursue something that I’m passionate about and I’m passionate about pizza,” Abbey says. Abbey learned to make Neapolitan style pizza from a Sicilian family member when he was 18. He’s been working on his technique ever sense. The new pizzeria will commercialize his talents.

The pizza will be made with handmade dough and sauce and high-quality cheese.

“It’s a totally different style of pizza than you see in Mid-Michigan,” Abbey says. “It’s nothing like chain pizza.”

The pizza will be cooked in a stone oven, but before it’s put into the fire, customers can watch Abbey toss the dough in the air and dress the pizzas.

Abbey says he’ll initially need to hire four to five people to staff the pizzeria.

Calzones, hoagies and salad will also be available at Izzo’s Pub & Pizzeria.

Source: Geno Abbey, Izzo’s Pub & Pizzeria

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

22,000 Sq Ft Mason Bowling Center Completes Renovation

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The 22,000 square foot Mason Bowling Center, including the City Limits Sports Grill located inside, has undergone a complete renovation that includes a new scoring system, bar, interior improvements and exterior updates.

“Pretty much everything’s been done but the bathrooms,” says Mason Bowling Center's manager, Matt McCormick. McCormick says the Mason Bowling Center hasn’t had an update since the late 1970s.

“It’s been very well received,” he says. “We’ve almost doubled our sales from what they were when it was originally bought.”

The 4,000 square foot renovation of the restaurant inside the Mason Bowling Center has helped attract more families to the Center.

“We get a lot more family business,” McCormick says. “We do some smoke-free bowling on the weekends, and we’ve made a couple more family packages. We do a lot more birthday parties than we used to.”

The Mason Bowling Center changed hands in early 2004. The renovations started in 2005.

Source: Matt McCormick, Mason Bowling Center

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

4,000 Sq Ft Darb’s Tavern Completes Summer Makeover in Mason

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Darb’s Tavern & Eatery at at 117 S. Cedar Street in Mason has seen an uptick in client base and customer satisfaction since completing its summer renovation.

Long-time manager Rob Hearit recently bought the 4,000 square foot building, which he says was in desperate need of an update.

“I managed it for 28 years and it pretty much looked the same for all those years,” he says.

He stared the renovation in July and finished it at the end of September. Hearit replaced half of the parking lot, remodeled the women’s bathrooms, updated the interior décor, added big screen TVs, opened a previously covered window and added new booths to expand the size of the eatery.

“As a result, we’ve seen an increase in business,” he says. “I’d say it’s about a ten to 15 percent increase. In this economy, that’s not too bad.”

Source: Rob Hearit, Darb’s Tavern

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

MSU Receives $3 Million to Build Waste-To-Energy System

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Michigan State University (MSU) has received $3 million in to construct a 3,280 square foot Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education (ADRE) Center on the south side of campus.

“The initiating of the Center completes our vision for a continuum of research capabilities from theoretical calculations, laboratory-scale, bench-scale, pilot-scale and farm-scale anaerobic digestion research," says Steven Safferman, the center’s director and an associate professor in the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering.

The ADRE Center will develop ways to efficiently convert manure liquid into methane for heat and electricity while extracting fiber for soil enrichment or ethanol manufacture and water for irrigation. Other valuable outputs could include animal feed and algae, which can be processed into biofuels.

The new facility will allow researchers to use an already existing process to create waste-to-power systems for small and mid-sized farms. The new Center is an expansion of the university’s farm animal and environmental research complex.

MSU received a two-year $1.5 million Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) research grant for the project and a three-year, $1.5 million from a private southeastern Michigan foundation to build the facility.

Source: MSU

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

10,640 Sq. Ft. Learning Center Planned for East Lansing

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Lisa Raths is capitalizing on the family-friendly nature of East Lansing by opening a 10,640 square foot Christian daycare on Coleman Road.

“East Lansing is where the growth is, and it’s where our demographic is,” Raths says. “We needed to make sure that we were picking the right spot. East Lansing has growth and is still growing. It’s potentially the most stable area.”

The Apple Tree Christian Learning Center will be constructed on a 1.23 acres piece of land at 3341 Coleman Road in East Lansing. Once opened, the center will be able to handle 170 children six days a week. Raths says the Center will cater to a wide range of ages starting with infants and ending with 12-year-olds.

“This is great for the area,” she says. “We’re not a huge employer, but we’ll bring employment to the area.”

The Center is slated to be opened by early spring 2008.

Source: Lisa Raths, Apple Tree Christian Learning Center

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

Fast-Growing Design Shop Moves Into New 2,000 Sq. Ft. Space

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Leslie Hart-Davidson, owner of Hart-Davidson Designs, hoped her old Williamston studio would serve as her working environment for five years. But rapid growth has cut that projection short by 49 months.

In September, Hart-Davidson moved her full-service interior design firm into a 2,000 square foot commercial space in Holt. The new Hart-Davidson headquarters is located at 2460 Cedar Street.

“We were forced to move because we outgrew our space so quickly,” says Sara Ramsey with Hart-Davidson Designs. “We wanted to be there for five years, but were only there for 11 months because we were literally climbing on top of each other. This space is double the size of our old space.”

In February 2007, Hart-Davidson had one employee and one intern. By February 2008, Hart-Davidson added another full time employee and eight more interns. Now they have 18 employees.

“In two years we’ve just exploded,” Ramsey says.

Although they wanted to stay at their Williamston location, Ramsey says they’ve found a good home in Holt. Hart-Davidson Designs will have a grand opening celebration at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 18 at their new location.

“Holt has a lot of things going on right now,” Ramsey says. “They’re bringing in a lot of businesses. It’s a good time to be growing with Holt.”

In May, Capital Gains highlighted Hart-Davidson Designs’ 41 percent growth.

Source: Sara Ramsey, Hart-Davidson Designs

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

Entrepreneur Institute Helps New REO Town Alteration Business

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hemlines Perfect Alterations recently opened its doors in Lansing's REO Town neighborhood. The shop is owned by long-time seamstress and new business owner, Marilyn Duncan.

“I’ve been doing this for 20 years,” Duncan says. “My dream was to be a business owner, but I didn’t think I could. Then I took the Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan course, wrote a business plan and learned that yes, I can do this.”

Duncan is one of several business owners that has received a loan from the Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan, which is designed to help small business owners open their doors.

The Institute's director, Denise Peek, suggested that Duncan look for a storefront in REO Town, a growing neighborhood south of Downtown Lansing.

“Part of it was the family atmosphere,” Duncan says about her decision to open her 1,400 square foot shop on Washington Avenue. “The main draw is that it’s so close to the Downtown area.”

Proximity to Downtown allows many of Duncan’s customers to drop off their clothes before work and pick them up after work on their way home.

Hemlines Perfect Alterations is located at 1202 S. Washington Ave.

Source: Denise Peek, Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

New Westside Eatery Expands To Accommodate Late Night Crowds

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Less than a year after opening his 1,900 square foot organic restaurant on Lansing’s Westside, restaurateur Bob Sawyer has expanded his scope to include an exclusive late-night crowd.

“Weekends are really good and picking up really fast,” Sawyer says. “We’ve had a five to 10 percent increase in sales because of that.”

Sawyer says his customer based specifically asked that the restaurant stay open later. Now Sawyer’s Gourmet Pancake House is open 24 hours on the weekends.

“We’ve also done a new gourmet dinner menu,” he says.

Sawyer's also added employees. When he first opened, he had less than 10 employee and now he has 18 employees.

Source: Jessica Yorko, NorthWest Initiative

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.

Survey Shows High Satisfaction With East Lansing

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

East Lansing residents are very happy with their community, the city and their quality of life.

East Lansing-based Adaptive Research Systems recently conducted a survey of East Lansing residents asking them to rank their satisfaction with the city. Of those asked, 97 percent said East Lansing is a good place to live and 90 percent indicated that their neighborhood is an“excellent” or “good” place to live.

“I think, almost without exception, what we found is that there’s an increase in approval or satisfaction with the city,” says Doug Carlson with Adaptive Research Systems.

Residents indicated that area assets such as access toMichigan State University (MSU), a strong sense of community and attractive neighborhoods are responsible for their satisfaction. The survey also demonstrated that 94 percent of respondents are satisfied with the overall quality of services provided by the City of East Lansing.

A similar survey was conducted five years ago. Since that time, residents report a 10 percent increase in the quality of relationships between residents and students. Their satisfaction with the city has also increased. In 2003, 95 percent of residents said they thought East Lansing was a good place to live. In 1997, this number stood at 94 percent. It’s now at 97 percent.

For the 2008 survey, 600 residents were interviewed, with a margin of error of +/- 4 percent.

Source: Mikell Frey, City of East Lansing

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.