#LansingCityInghamCounty

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

2 months ago

Deep Green pitches 24-MW downtown data center; council hears hours of questions and nearly 90 public comments Deep Green Technologies presented a proposed 24‑megawatt, heat‑reuse data center for a downtown Lansing parking lot, pledging closed‑loop cooling, heat delivery to the Lansing Board of Water and Light’s hot‑water loop, union labor and no local construction incentives; council members and residents pressed the company and BWL on water, emissions, generators, enforceable commitments and the suitability of a downtown site.

Deep Green Technologies is proposing a groundbreaking 24-megawatt data center that promises to transform a downtown Lansing parking lot into a hub of energy efficiency and local job creation, but will it meet the city's environmental standards?

Click to read more!

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

2 months ago

Mayor, council and community leaders review winter emergency response and homelessness needs after extreme cold Council members and residents described the city's cold‑weather response during record low temperatures, thanked volunteers operating warming centers, and pressed for clearer code‑blue activation rules and permanent housing‑first solutions; the mayor reported counts from shelters and announced a $4.3 million state grant for REO Town improvements.

Lansing leaders are pushing for lasting solutions to homelessness while reviewing emergency cold-weather responses and celebrating the community's efforts during the recent freeze.

Learn more here

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #CommunitySupport #EmergencyResponse #HousingSolutions

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

2 months ago

Residents urge council to reject Deep Green data center rezoning; planners, BWL face questions on noise, water and community fit At a long public‑comment session Jan. 26, Lansing residents and neighborhood advocates urged the City Council to oppose rezoning that would allow the proposed Deep Green data center in the REO Town area, citing noise, wastewater, pedestrian character and missing engineering details; council set a public hearing on related rezoning for Feb. 23, 2026.

Lansing residents are standing firm against the proposed Deep Green data center, citing concerns over noise, environmental impact, and the preservation of their vibrant community space.

Click to read more!

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #LansingCommunity #UrbanPlanning #EnvironmentalProtection

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

2 months ago

Lansing council adopts resolution opposing ICE officers' use of face coverings that conceal identity Lansing City Council on Jan. 26 adopted a late resolution opposing the use of masks or face coverings by ICE officers that conceal identity during civil immigration enforcement in the city, urging the mayor and city attorney to work with immigrant‑rights experts on a policy; the measure was presented as a non‑enforceable statement of opposition.

Lansing City Council has taken a bold stand against ICE officers wearing face coverings, emphasizing the need for transparency and public trust in immigration enforcement.

Get the details

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #CivilRights #TransparencyInGovernance #LansingCity #CitizenPortal

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

3 months ago

Neighbors split as council advances Mount Hope rezoning introduction Council introduced a rezoning request for 3310 West Mount Hope from single-family to multifamily to permit a 29-unit building; supporters said it adds needed housing while adjacent River Park Estates residents warned of drainage and traffic impacts.

The Lansing City Council is caught in a tug-of-war over a proposed 29-unit apartment building, with supporters citing a housing crisis while neighbors warn of traffic chaos and drainage disasters.

Get the details!

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #InfrastructureChallenges #CommunityInput

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

3 months ago

Lansing council sets hearings for Deep Green data center land sale and conditional rezoning The council set Feb. 9 public hearings for the proposed sale of Lot 49 to Deep Green Technologies and for a conditional rezoning to allow a data center on four East Kalamazoo parcels; supporters cited jobs and infrastructure while opponents raised utility, water, and precedent concerns.

The Lansing City Council is set to hear heated debates on the proposed sale of Lot 49 for a controversial data center—will it boost the economy or burden residents?

Get the details!

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #PublicTestimony #LansingDataCenters #CitizenPortal #UtilityEffectiveness

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

3 months ago

Residents and advocates urge Lansing council to extend hotel placements for displaced encampment residents Multiple speakers told the council temporary hotel placement for people removed from encampments has helped some secure jobs and stability, and asked the city to extend stays, increase vouchers, improve case management and coordinate housing-first planning.

Lansing residents and advocates are demanding urgent action from the City Council to extend temporary hotel placements for the displaced, highlighting the critical need for permanent housing solutions.

Click to read more!

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #HomelessnessSupport #CommunityAction

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

3 months ago

Residents press council to halt CSO-related tree removals and improve oversight Speakers urged the council to stop or reassess tree removals tied to the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) project, citing outdated mapping, canopy loss, mental-health impacts and disproportionate effects on West Side neighborhoods.

Residents are raising urgent concerns over tree removals linked to the CSO project, warning of mental health impacts and environmental injustice in West Side neighborhoods.

Click to read more!

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #EnvironmentalJustice #LansingWestSide #UrbanForestry #CitizenPortal

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

4 months ago

Council hears divided testimony on proposed tenant‑relocation‑fee exception for landlord‑caused damage Council considered an amendment creating an exception to tenant‑relocation fees when owners convincingly show tenant‑caused damage; landlords largely supported the amendment while tenant advocates and some council members warned it could undercut tenant protections. The item was referred to Public Safety committee.

Lansing City Council is debating a controversial amendment that could exempt landlords from tenant-relocation fees, raising concerns among advocates about tenant protections and accountability.

Read the full story

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #LansingCityCouncil #TenantProtections #PublicSafety

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

4 months ago

Old Town stakeholders split over expansion of Old Town principal shopping district Council heard strong, mixed testimony on a proposed expansion of the Old Town Principal Shopping District (PSD). Supporters from the Old Town Commercial Association credited the PSD with decades of revitalization; some property owners and developers urged more notice and asked council to table the proposal for more stakeholder discussion.

The debate over expanding Lansing’s Old Town Principal Shopping District is heating up as business leaders champion revitalization while property owners voice urgent concerns about costs and transparency.

Click to read more!

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #PublicInput #CommunityEngagement

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

4 months ago

Council deadlocks on updated noise ordinance after members warn it would criminalize routine behavior After extended debate on criminal penalties and a 'plainly audible' enforcement standard, Lansing City Council declined to adopt the proposed noise ordinance (final vote 4–4). A related amendment to make violations civil infractions failed 3–5.

Lansing City Council's heated debate over a proposed noise ordinance ended in a tie, leaving residents divided on whether routine behavior should be criminalized.

Read the full story

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #LansingNoiseOrdinance #CommunityVoice #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

4 months ago

Residents urge pause on Mod Pod site selection; advocates call for rapid deployment and harm‑reduction Public commenters delivered extensive testimony on the Nova Mod Pod shelter proposal: neighborhood coalitions asked the city to pause site selection to expand community engagement; shelter advocates and people with lived experience argued Mod Pods are urgently needed and urged flexible siting and supportive services.

Lansing residents are divided over the Mod Pod pilot, with some demanding a pause for community input while others stress the urgency of immediate shelter for the unhoused this winter.

Read the full story

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #CommunityEngagement #PublicSafety #HomelessnessSolutions

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

4 months ago

Lansing authorizes up to $40 million in sewer revenue bonds for SRF projects, including downtown separation Council authorized issuance of sewer disposal system revenue bonds (not to exceed $40 million) to fund pump station replacement and sewer‑separation projects; EGLE indicated approximately $2.8 million in principal forgiveness and the Lansing Board of Water & Light will participate in downtown separation costs.

Lansing is taking a big step towards cleaner waterways by authorizing up to $40 million for crucial sewer improvements!

Learn more here

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #PublicHealth #InfrastructureImprovement #LansingSewerProjects #EnvironmentalSustainability #CitizenPortal

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

4 months ago

Residents, unhoused advocates clash over Mod Pod sites and Dietrich Park removals Dozens of Lansing residents and people with lived experience testified Dec. 15 about the city’s proposed Mod Pod (tiny-house) sites and the Dietrich Park encampment; neighborhood residents opposed the Shebaaz Academy site while advocates urged urgency, transparency, and no winter sweeps.

Residents and advocates are in a heated debate over the proposed Mod Pod tiny-house sites, with urgent calls for transparency and the voices of the unhoused to be prioritized.

Click to read more!

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #LansingCityCouncil #UnhousedVoices #CommunityTransparency

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

4 months ago

Council approves 20-year PILOT for Pine Brook Manor to finance $13M rehab The Lansing City Council on Dec. 15 approved a 20-year service-charge-in-lieu pilot for Pine Brook Manor, a 136-unit low-income complex, to support roughly $13 million in private rehabilitation; the measure passed 7–1 after debate over term length and tenant protections.

Lansing City Council just approved a game-changing 20-year plan for Pine Brook Manor, unlocking $13 million for vital renovations while ensuring no residents will be displaced!

Click to read more!

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #CommunityDevelopment #LansingLowIncomeHousing #AffordableHousing

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

4 months ago

Developer asks Lansing council for 32-year PILOT to fund $12–13 million rehab at Pine Brook Manor Standard Communities asked the council to approve a 32-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) to finance a $12–13 million tenant‑in‑place renovation of Pine Brook Manor, a 136‑unit Section 8 property; developers said residents’ rents would remain governed by federal contracts, while some public speakers urged council caution on long-term tax breaks.

A $12–13 million renovation proposal for Pine Brook Manor could transform lives for low-income families, but is a 32-year tax break the right move for Lansing?

Learn more here

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #LansingAffordableHousing #TenantProtection #HousingRehabilitation #FiscalAccountability

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

7 months ago

Lansing Charter Commission Plans Community Outreach for Election Education Campaign Commission outlines public engagement events and campaign strategies for upcoming charter election.

The Lansing Charter Commission is set to redefine the city's future, with crucial discussions on community issues that could shape daily life in the heart of Michigan.

Learn more here!

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernance #CivicEngagement #CommunityOutreach

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

7 months ago

Commissioners Address Strong Mayor Proposal During Public Comment Session Public comments raise concerns over strong mayor system and demand clarity on governance.

The Lansing Charter Commission is facing intense scrutiny as residents demand clarity on the contentious strong mayor proposal and a potential shift to a city manager system.

Get the details!

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #PublicInput #CitizenPortal #LansingCity #GovernanceReform

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

7 months ago

Old River Neighborhood Association President Advocates for Increased City Ward Representation Nicholas Zanni calls for expanding Lansing's wards from 5 to 8 to ensure fair representation.

Nicholas Zanni is shaking up Lansing's political landscape by proposing a bold increase in the number of city wards from five to eight, aiming for fairer representation for all residents.

Click to read more!

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #EquitableGovernance #ElectoralReform #CitizenPortal

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

7 months ago

Lansing Commissioners Debate Strong Mayor System Amid Calls for Urgent Charter Revisions Commissioners express support and critiques for strong mayor governance during Lansing charter discussions.

Lansing's Charter Commission is divided over a proposed shift to a strong mayor system, with urgent calls for a thorough charter revision that could reshape the city's future.

Click to read more!

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #LansingCity #GovernanceReform #CommunityEngagement

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

7 months ago

Lansing Council Considers Adding Bike Lane to M 99 Proposal Michigan State House hears proposals for bike lane improvements in Lansing.

Lansing residents are rallying for safer streets and a bike lane along M-99, pushing the city towards a greener future.

Click to read more!

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #LansingCity #CommunityEngagement #SustainableTransportation

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

7 months ago

Lansing Council Advances Responsible Bidder Ordinance to Improve Construction Standards Supporters advocate for contractor selection modernization to enhance quality and local workforce.

Lansing's City Council is considering a groundbreaking ordinance that could revolutionize how contractors are chosen for public projects, prioritizing quality and local labor over the lowest bid.

Click to read more!

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #PublicFunding #CitizenPortal #LaborStandards

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

7 months ago

Council Approves Scoring Rubric for Contractor Evaluation Amid Union Debate Council passes contractor evaluation rubric despite concerns over weighted scoring system.

A fierce debate erupted in Lansing as council members approved a controversial contractor scoring rubric that could reshape the local construction landscape—will it truly balance the scales between union and non-union contractors?

Click to read more!

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

7 months ago

Lansing City Council Adopts Updated Fire Code and Censure Penalties Ordinance The Lansing City Council adopts new fire code and attendance penalties for members.

Lansing City Council takes bold steps for public safety and accountability, adopting new fire codes and attendance penalties for members!

Click to read more!

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #GovernanceReform #CivicAccountability #LansingCityCouncil

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

7 months ago

Lansing City Council Honors Late Attorney Jim Smirka and Fred and Frances Erb Council pays tribute to Jim Smirka and Fred and Frances Erb's community contributions.

The Lansing City Council came together to honor the legacy of the late attorney Jim Smirka and celebrate the philanthropic efforts of Fred and Frances Erb, both of whom have profoundly shaped the community.

Read the full story

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #LansingCity

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

7 months ago

Lansing City Council Debates Attendance Policy and Responsible Bidder Ordinance Changes Residents express concerns over council attendance policy and amendments to contracting criteria.

Lansing's City Council is at a crossroads as residents voice strong concerns over new attendance policies and crucial changes to city contract bidding rules.

Click to read more!

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #LocalGovernance #CivicAccountability #LansingCityCouncil

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

7 months ago

Alisa Flowers Advocates for Historic Property Restoration During City Council Meeting Alisa Flowers urges Lansing City Council to support the restoration of her historic property.

Alisa Flowers passionately urges the Lansing City Council to preserve a historic gem, the home of architect Darius B. Moon, amidst growing concerns over local heritage and development.

Click to read more!

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #YouthSupport #CitizenPortal #CommunityEngagement

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

7 months ago

Council Passes City Attendance Ordinance Amid Debate on Outside Committees City council adopts ordinance for attendance while discussing inclusion of outside boards.

Lansing City Council has officially adopted a new attendance ordinance, but the debate over accountability for outside committees continues to stir controversy.

Click to read more!

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #CommunityEngagement #CivicAccountability #LansingCityCouncil

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

7 months ago

Michigan Representative Advocates Infrastructure Changes to Enhance Public Safety on MLK Boulevard Representative urges road design improvements and bike lanes to reduce car accidents.

Lansing's City Council is rethinking public safety funding and road design, advocating for infrastructure changes that could save lives on dangerous streets.

Click to read more!

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #InfrastructureInvestment #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #LansingCityCouncil #RoadSafety

Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi

7 months ago

Lansing Council Debates Responsible Contractors Ordinance to Enhance Workforce Training Standards Council members discuss strengthening apprenticeship requirements to boost construction workforce quality.

Lansing's City Council is at a crossroads, debating an ordinance that promises to revolutionize workforce training and uplift the community through skilled apprenticeships.

Click to read more!

#LansingCityInghamCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #ConstructionStandards #WorkforceDevelopment