Federal Floodway Change Moves East Lansing Development Project Forward

Approval by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reduce floodway boundaries near the Red Cedar River between Bogue Street and Hagadorn Road in East Lansing moves city official one step closer to the construction of the East Village project.

According to excerpts from the article:

Floodways determine how close to the river property owners can build. The city and Pierce Education Properties, a San Diego-based development firm, are working to redevelop East Village. Plans call for a mix of condominiums, businesses and entertainment venues in the area, which is currently occupied by more than 2,000 students.

Now, the city has the freedom to pursue development along the river where it was previously unable, said Lori Mullins, East Lansing’s senior project manager. The proposed East Village site plans include a public park and performance plazas along the river.

“Both the floodway and the floodplain have regulations on what can be built in those areas,” Mullins said. “It helps to clarify what can be built in the East Village area as far as what kind of buildings and how close to the river.”

The new designations could lower insurance costs in the area, Mullins said.

“It’s going to reduce the area where people will have to get flood insurance,” Mullins said. “Some people in the area will see their insurance rates reduced.”

FEMA is scheduled to release the new insurance rates and who qualifies for them in three months.

Read the entire article here.