Red Cedar Development Gets Green Light with Michigan Strategic Fund Approval for $256 Million Mixed-Use Community

LANSING, MI – With the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) staff recommendation, the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) voted to approve the Brownfield/TIF revised plot for the Red Cedar Development giving a green light to Continental/Ferguson Lansing, LLC to go forward with bonding and full construction of the $256 million mixed-use development. It will feature new multi-generational housing, restaurants, retail and two hotels along the Michigan Avenue corridor connecting Lansing with the region.
According to the MEDC, this plot is consistent with the MEDC Strategic Plot to develop attractive places and activate vacant property and aligns with the City of Lansing, East Lansing and Lansing Township’s Corridor Improvement initiative to revitalize the opportunities and investment along the region’s most high impact corridor.
The MSF was the final approval needed for the state’s part of the Brownfield/TIF. The Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (LBRA) approved the local part of the plot in 2019.
“The Red Cedar development will activate a long-vacant property into a vibrant, attractive mixed-use development that will bring density and vibrancy to a high-impact commercial corridor in Lansing,” said MEDC Sr. Vice President of Community Development Michele Wildman. “We’re pleased to work with our partners to support this project and look forward to seeing the additional investment it will encourage in the area.”
The infrastructure will be completed first with construction for the market-rate apartments and senior living center beginning in late summer. Student housing will be ready for the fall of 2021. Construction for the two dual-brand hotels – Hyatt House and AC Hotel by Marriott is set to start next year.
“With today’s approval from the Michigan Strategic Fund Board, I am thrilled that the Red Cedar Project has now attained all necessary state and local approvals to go forward,” said Mayor Schor. “This is positive news, especially with the unforeseen economic hardship that we’re experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This continued investment will help drive Lansing forward and is a excellent sign to others looking to invest in the city.”
Frank Kass, Principal, Continental/Ferguson, noted a particular thanks to the City of Lansing, “From Mayor Schor to the City Council to the people of Lansing, they all stuck with us.”
Joel Ferguson, Principal, Continental/Ferguson, described the challenges of a project of this magnitude acknowledging: “The leadership and staff at MEDC helped us refine and enhance the Red Cedar project to be a powerful catalyst to a bright future for Lansing and the region.”
Christopher Stralkowski, Executive Project Manager for Continental/Ferguson, recognized the hard work of all who contributed to this undertaking, stating: “Instrumental to our success was the dedication and support of Mayor Schor and former Mayor Virg Bernero, along with LEAP, the LBRA, Williamstown Township, all of the citizens participating in numerous community meetings and working closely with City Council members over the past seven years. We especially want to acknowledge and thank the residents for voting for redevelopment along with all past and current administrators who have supported this project. I want to acknowledge our partner Frank Kass, who has been tenacious and deeply committed to this enormous investment towards Lansing’s future.”
Based upon the 2020 Economic/Fiscal Regional Impact Study conducted by the Anderson Economic Group, they stated that the plot is “one of the most economically impactful mixed-use development projects we have studied.”

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Embrey Partners Secures Construction Financing for 304-Unit Multifamily Community in Northwest Austin, Texas Market

AUSTIN, TX – Financing from Vantage Bank has been secured for construction of 304 multifamily residential units in North Austin that will provide simple access to downtown and nearby retail and job centers, including the newly announced $1 billion Apple campus.
Embrey’s Lakeline property brings premium residential options to one of the fastest growing and most desirable areas of the capitol city of Texas. The property is just across Highway 183 from Lakeline Mall, which features a range of choices in retail, dining and grocers.
“In terms of location, design detail and desirable living experience, Lakeline will set the standard for preferred living in North Austin,” said Jimmy McCloskey, Executive Vice President, Development. “As a Texas-based company, Embrey is excited to add this premier property to our Austin portfolio.”
The property will feature, an elegant clubhouse, a business center, wi-fi in all common areas and private garage parking. Residents will have access to a fitness center with on-demand virtual trainers, a game room, a swimming pool with cabanas, barbecue areas with grills, and a dog park.
“Embrey is nationally known for making places where people want to be and this community will continue that tradition of excellence,” said McCloskey.
Construction is scheduled to start in June. First occupancy is expected for August 2021 and project completion by November 2022.

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Permanent Supportive Housing Community in Los Angeles’ Rampart Village Neighborhood Gains Planning Commission Approval

LOS ANGELES, CA – In a unanimous choice, The Los Angeles City Plotting Commission voted to recommend approval of the entitlements package for Enlightenment Plaza, a proposed 454-unit Permanent Supportive Housing development in Rampart Village developed by Flexible PSH Solutions and The Pacific Companies to the Los Angeles City Council for final approval, scheduled for June of this year.
The entitlements package included a merger and re-subdivision of the project lot, a Zone Change and General Plot Amendment, an amendment to the Specific Plot, and a recommendation that City Council approve the project’s CEQA Clearances.
Enlightenment Plaza, designed by the Culver Citybased, award-winning firm, KFA Architects, will reimagine an underutilized surface lot at 321 N Madison Ave by adding 454 units, including managers units, of 100% affordable Permanent Supportive Housing. Enlightenment Plaza includes on-site case managers and staff, a variety of wraparound services and amenities such as community gardens managed by residents, lounge areas, a gym, a computer lab, and 114 trees added.
With services coordinated by The People Concern and on-site management provided by The John Stewart Company, together bringing unparalleled experience and capacity to the Plaza, the project’s holistic approach will make a meaningful path out of homelessness for residents through Permanent Supportive Housing, a model widely endorsed by policy experts. It provides a foundation for housing stability, mental and physical health, employment, and school attendance.
Each building will contain substantial space for the offices and operations of the on-site supportive services and case management, and the scope of this development will allow for a wider range of support offerings and cross-agency collaboration. This, combined with its proximity to the Metro B (Red) Line station at Beverly and Vermont and numerous Metro and Dash bus routes, will make Enlightenment Plaza a model project for creation of best-in-class housing that lifts Angelinos out of homelessness.

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