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The Coleman Road project had been discussed for two decades, but it took a bipartisan effort by legislative members of the Capital Caucus and local leaders to finally secure precious funding for the project.

our region, said Tim Daman, president and CEO, LRCC. “It is our identity and The Coleman Road project had been discussed for two decades. Still, it took a
should serve as a statement to the rest of the world of who we are and where we bipartisan effort by legislative members of the Capital Caucus and local leaders
are going.” to finally secure precious funding for the project.

Since the resurfacing of Michigan Avenue, new development continues to “Because it was a project that was a priority for so many local units of government,
flourish along the corridor, a fact not lost on current Mayor Andy Schor. it became something we could work on collectively,” said Sam Singh, former
House Minority Leader and current CEO of Public Policy Associates. “I know I
“The Michigan Avenue corridor connects our homes, workplaces, shops, spoke with Governor Snyder on several occasions and we all wrote letters and
restaurants and the places we choose to recreate,” said Mayor Schor. made phone calls to help push this through.”
“Investment along Michigan Avenue is vital as it acts as Lansing’s “welcome
to Michigan’s capital city.” “It was the first time that our region came together, republicans, democrats,
“THE county, townships, and the business community rallying around one
A REGIONAL WIN: COLEMAN ROAD EXTENSION RECEIVES GREATER project that we advocated for at the state legislature,” said LRCC’s
STATE FUNDING LANSING Japinga. “We are already seeing several great economic development
REGION HAS opportunities that are happening along with the Coleman Road
In an effort led by the Capital Council of Governments extension.”
(CAPCOG) and LRCC, the tri-county region secured a REALIZED SOME
significant victory as the state of Michigan awarded $7.6 million SUCCESS IN There is a great deal of prime undeveloped land in the area
to extend Coleman Road. The project, which has been in the ADVANCING KEY that will draw considerable interest from occupiers and
works for more than a decade, will connect Coleman Road PROJECTS THAT HAVE developers, according to the Van Martin, CEO, Martin
to Wood Road and U.S. 127 along the southern border Commercial Properties.
of Clinton and Ingham Counties. Phase one of the RESULTED IN SPURRING
project, which is the paving of Coleman Road corridor NEW DEVELOPMENT, DESPITE “I’ve always looked at that as a corporate headquarter
from Wood to West Road should be complete in July, THE BARRIERS THAT MAKE AN row with MSU Federal Union, GreenStone,
according to Doug Steffen, managing director of American Cancer and others, said Martin. “We
the Clinton County Road Commission. Phase INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTION SEEM could see a major office building, possibly another
two will involve sidewalk work on Wood Road, LIKE WISHFUL THINKING. THESE hotel and perhaps some mixed-use at the corner
paving on intersections north and south, as PLANS MAY SERVE AS A MODEL FOR of Coleman and Coolidge Road. We could also
well as bridge work at U.S. 127. That work OTHER HIGH PRIORITY INFRASTRUCTURE see restaurants and additional retail in that
should be completed by late summer of area.”
2021. PROJECTS IN THE REGION.”
Martin also sees the potential for housing
“We’re also putting the sewer in so development the east side of Coolidge
everyone will have access and the water across from MSUFCU.
mains, so that property can be developed in the future,” said Steffen. “We are
working out agreements with Dewitt Township and East Lansing for sewer and UPGRADES NEEDED FOR U.S. 127/I-496
the Board of Water and Light. We are making sure we are working with all the
landowners so the project will be complete when we are done.” Local leaders say the next priority infrastructure project should be targeted in
the U.S. 127/I-496 area. The Michigan Department of Transportation has slated
The Coleman Road project is expected to relieve traffic congestion and spur dollars for funding in future years, which would include widening the intersection
development along the Ingham County/Clinton County line. to three lanes. CAPCOG and LRCC are working with lawmakers in the Capital
Caucus to accelerate the timetable citing traffic flow and safety among the reasons
“It will relieve the traffic pressure on Coolidge and Lake Lansing roads, going for immediate attention.
either east or west,” said Don Maynard, SRS Corp and property owner in the area.
“That’s a major bottleneck at noon and during evening traffic. The area is growing “When it was built 40 years ago, I don’t think anybody could have anticipated how
rapidly. There has to be a way to relieve the traffic flow and get it out.” much traffic was going to be in that area,” said Robert Showers, Clinton County

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