Wednesday, March 13,2013

With grant, housing maintenance assistance expands

Greater Lansing Housing Coalition lands $80,000 grant for home repair program for low-income seniors

by Andy Balaskovitz

Wednesday, Feb. 13 — The Greater Lansing Housing Coalition will ramp up its free home maintenance assistance for low-income seniors thanks to an $80,000 grant it received recently from AARP.

Wednesday, March 13,2013

Kids in the Hall

Mayor’s call for vicious dog ordinance, revised snow removal ordinance has Council support. Setting a date with Niowave. The computer thing.

by Andy Balaskovitz

Tuesday, Feb. 25 — Mayor Virg Bernero says the city needs to address its “vicious dog” problem and the “bureaucratic nightmare” of a snow removal ordinance. And it looks like the City Council agrees.

Wednesday, March 13,2013

Journal looking to sell downtown office building

Lansing’s daily announces it's looking for a new building

by Andy Balaskovitz

Thursday, Feb. 28 — Update: The Lansing State Journal has announced that it’s looking to sell its downtown office building.

Wednesday, March 13,2013

Bernero nominates first black and woman as city attorney

Foster Swift staffer tapped to head the city’s law department

by Andy Balaskovitz

Monday, March 4 — Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero’s pick to replace former City Attorney Brig Smith would be the city’s first woman and first African American to hold the job. Bernero announced at a press conference today that he plans to nominate Lansing native Janene McIntyre, 42, to the job. The appointment is subject to City Council approval.

Wednesday, March 13,2013

Genesee plans

Movement in the Genesee Neighborhood as new owners look to redevelop Ottawa/Butler block and Genesee School

by Andy Balaskovitz

A prominent five-acre block of green space near downtown Lansing, for years a target for residential and commercial use by at least three Lansing developers, has been purchased by a Lansing-based trade association looking to build its new headquarters there.

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Monday, March 11,2013

Kids in the Hall

City Council holds public hearing on Niowave tax abatement

by Andy Balaskovitz

Monday, March 11 — Local residents either outright opposed to a personal property tax abatement for Niowave, or against it until the company fixes the façade of a 14,000-square-foot pole barn/research facility, far outnumbered those in support at tonight’s Lansing City Council meeting.

Wednesday, March 6,2013

Eye Sore of the Week

by Andy Balaskovitz

Architecture critic Amanda Harrell-Seyburn says: A shophouse — also known as mixed use with residential above and commercial below — is the ultimate in convenience living. Total commute time? Seconds. Distance? A flight of stairs. This building form stands the test of time and is one of the reasons for Old Town’s success and enduring aesthetic.

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Wednesday, February 27,2013

Computergate

Internal memo from city attorney finds no criminal wrongdoing, basis for removal or ethics violation related to Councilwoman Kathie Dunbar

by Andy Balaskovitz

A draft internal memo from the Lansing City Attorney's Office to City Council members last month clears At-Large Councilwoman Kathie Dunbar of any wrongdoing related to a city-issued laptop computer.

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Wednesday, February 27,2013

The mortgage

Financial Health Team to recommend Lansing increase its funding for long-term pension and health care liabilities

by Andy Balaskovitz

A key member of the mostly mayoral-appointed Financial Health Team in Lansing says the city should increase funding — or decrease costs — for its long-term liabilities for pensions and retiree health care by $9 million to $15 million a year.

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Wednesday, February 20,2013

Dispensaries and overages

The Supreme Court's effect on Lansing dispensaries and pending legislation to give them hope

by Andy Balaskovitz

It's shortly after noon on Monday, and a young man likely in his 20s or 30s is making a purchase at Alternative Medicine in Lansing. Fifty dollars is exchanged for a few grams of medical marijuana. Business as usual?

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