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COLEMAN ROAD



        EXTENSION







        “When we finally came together as a group, we were able to convince the
        appropriate legislative people that funding that project would enhance the
        region in terms of economic opportunities as well as additional means of
        travel around a very congested area,” said Robert Showers who serves on
        CAPCOG and the Clinton County Board of Commissioners.

        The final piece of the process was a bipartisan effort led by the legislative
        members of the Capital Caucus and local leaders to finally secure the
        needed funding. Former House Minority Leader Sam Singh was a driving
        force behind those efforts.

        “Because it was a project that was a priority for so many local units of
        government, it became something we could work on collectively,” said Singh,
        CEO, Public Policy Associates. “I know I spoke with Governor Snyder on
        several occasions and we all wrote letters and made phone calls to help push
        this through.”

        “It wasn’t easy, but we got it done,” said former State Senator Rick Jones.

        In addition to the traffic issues that the Coleman Road extension will
        help alleviate, the corridor is ripe for development. There is a great deal
        of prime undeveloped land in the area that will draw considerable interest
        from occupiers and developers, according to the Van Martin, CEO, Martin
        Commercial Properties.

        “I’ve always looked at that as a corporate headquarter row with MSU Federal   Beyond
        Union, GreenStone, American Cancer and others, said Martin. “We could
        see a major office building, possibly another hotel and perhaps some
        mixed-use at the corner of Coleman and Coolidge Road. We could also see   Energy
        restaurants and additional retail in that area.”

        Martin also sees the potential for housing development on the east side of
        Coolidge across from MSUFCU.
                                                                               A brighter future for
        Completing the Coleman Road project is a model of how bipartisan       people, the planet and
        collaboration can benefit the entire Greater Lansing region. CAPCOG
        was among regional groups that successfully lobbied for state funds to   Michigan’s prosperity.
        construct the new Heritage Center, a major tourism project at the State
        Capitol Complex. CAPCOG was also instrumental in helping Lansing
        Mayor Andy Schor receive permission to convert several two-way streets in
        downtown Lansing to one-way streets, which is something leaders feel will
        be a boost for business in the area.                                331169

        “Coleman Road was the first time in history that a group of municipalities in
        this region came together, put aside party differences to accomplish a great
        good,” said Showers.

        “Working together is how anything gets done in this region,” said Meadows.
        “This is a collaborative approach to improving the economic stability of our
        community.”

        Traffic is now flowing on the Coleman Road extension. The new corridor
        is open for business. The collaborative efforts that led to funding for the
        Coleman Road project are a model that should serve the region well for
        overcoming challenges and advancing priorities that will have a significant   Learn more at MICleanEnergy.com
        impact on the region in the future. n


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