Two building redevelopments proposed in downtown Lansing

Two building redevelopments proposed in downtown Lansing

LANSING — Two buildings just northwest of the state’s Capitol Building will undergo significant renovations, according to a statement from economic development organization Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP).

Lansing-based Vesta Building Industries LLC plans to redevelop the vacant two-story buildings located at 513 and 519 West Ionia St. and add ground floor commercial space with a total of six market rate residential apartments above.

“I’m excited to be redeveloping these buildings back into a stable anchor of the neighborhood as they once were,” Scott Schmidt of Vesta Builders said in a statement. “To do this, the improvements we’ll be making will hold true to the historical standards of the 1920s, and we’ll be enhancing the site with seating areas and rain gardens to increase community green space in the neighborhood.”

The developer plans to invest $1.3 million into the two buildings and will seek a $220,420 brownfield redevelopment incentive, which still requires approval by the Lansing City Council and from the state.

The proposed project is slated to be complete next summer.

“I’m excited that Vesta is willing to put in the work to transform this former neighborhood gem into an attractive, new mixed-use space,” Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero said in a statement. “Once again, we see how important redevelopment incentives are for restoring these properties from unsightly blight into residential and retail spaces that are so valuable to our neighborhoods, and to diversifying our housing options.”