Urban Planning Students Share Plans with E.L. Officials
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EmailUrban planning students presented their ideas on revitalizing the long vacant Evergreen Avenue site in the heart of downtown East Lansing to city officials and area stakeholders.
From plazas to art centers, students in SPDC’s urban design class presented their ideas on revitalizing the long vacant Evergreen Avenue site in the heart of downtown East Lansing to area stakeholders. Students observed the needs and wants of the community, and looked to enhance the core of the city.
Student groups presented to a range of planning professionals and East Lansing residents on how their projects would bring meaningful transformation to the city. Downtown Development Authority (DDA) members could see and critique these proposals. Having gone through multiple plans that ultimately did not come to fruition, the city is looking for new perspectives on redevelopment.
Among the audience members was Heather Pope, Community and Economic Development Administrator of East Lansing. Reflecting on the students’ work she said the proposals were, “innovative and offered unique design and land use solutions. All the proposals presented new ideas to consider as potential opportunities for the redevelopment of the Evergreen Ave. properties. We appreciate the thought and effort the students put into each of the design proposals.”
These presentations allowed students to think creatively and use their knowledge to create spaces that work with our community and respond to its needs. Ranging from student centers, art spaces, auditoriums, and public spaces, students shared a myriad of ideas to improve this unused land.
In their idea, planning students Max Levinson and Kelsey Herdus developed a plan called the Evergreen Student Center. Including dining hall space, tutoring rooms, and relaxation space, they aimed to extend MSU’s reach north of Grand River in an accessible and attractive way. Students Corey Fein, Oliver Gomez, and Josh Broaden took a different approach, proposing a large arts and events center with studios, maker spaces, conference rooms, and more. It includes a prominent City of East Lansing sign to promote marketing, visibility, and pride in our city.
Thinking about this opportunity, master’s student Oliver Gomez said, “What I valued the most was incorporating the principles of urban design with my architectural background to create a proposal that reflected both the knowledge acquired during the past eight years and the lessons in this course. Moreover, I was able to apply the skills and tools from my urban planning courses to better understand the planning issues faced by the site.”
A theme for many projects was connectivity and accessibility, with many serving as hubs that bring residents together and foster community. The creativity seen by MSU Urban Planning students has given local officials and residents some understanding of what students believe the city is lacking. Students turned their ideas into practical solutions that may influence the city's future, gaining knowledge of urban redevelopment and design along the way.
