The City of East Lansing is reviving a dormant effort to establish affordable housing for artists in East Lansing, restarting a partnership with a national nonprofit to create dedicated living and working spaces for the creative community.
The initiative, which had stalled for several years, centers on a collaboration with Artspace, a Minneapolis-based real estate nonprofit that specializes in developing affordable housing tailored to the needs of artists. The city originally invested $35,000 in a preliminary report in 2021, but the project lost momentum due to staffing shortages within the city’s planning department.
Now, officials are moving forward with a second phase of exploration to determine if a permanent creative hub is viable for the city’s downtown core. The goal is to create a mixed-use environment where “creatives”—ranging from painters and performers to videographers—can live and work in a sustainable, low-cost setting.
Addressing the “Brain Drain” of MSU Graduates
A primary driver for the project is the desire to retain the talent flowing out of Michigan State University. For many graduating artists, the transition from student life to a professional career is often hindered by the high cost of living and a lack of specialized workspaces.
Meegan Holland, a community member who helped spearhead the initial exploration of the project, noted that the lack of accessible housing is a significant barrier to keeping artists in the area. “It’s no secret that affordable housing is an issue in East Lansing and beyond. We have a hard time retaining the many creatives who graduate from MSU. There are many reasons for that, but affordable housing is certainly one of them,” Holland said.
The preliminary study suggests that an Artspace development could provide more than just residential units. By integrating creative businesses and improving public spaces, the city hopes to enhance local events and foster a more vibrant, permanent artistic presence that benefits the broader community.
The Roadmap: From Preliminary Reports to Feasibility
The project is moving into a critical assessment period. While the 2021 report recommended a mixed-use downtown development—featuring commercial and studio spaces on the ground floor with residential units above—city officials acknowledge that the landscape has shifted since then.
Lori Mullins, the executive director of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), indicated that the city will not simply rely on the vintage data. “Things change, so with the second phase we will be reevaluating those sites but also looking for other locations that might be good spaces for that type of development,” Mullins said.
The DDA will fund this next phase, which focuses on market analysis to determine if there is sufficient demand for the project. This funding arrangement was established during the first phase, with the agreement that the DDA would cover costs if the development remained targeted for the downtown area.
| Phase | Key Objective | Funding Source | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Preliminary Report & Site Identification | Arts Commission, City Council, DDA | Completed (2021) |
| Phase 2 | Market Analysis & Public Input | Downtown Development Authority (DDA) | Upcoming (Summer) |
| Pre-Development | Site Selection & Design Planning | TBD | Pending Phase 2 |
Public Engagement and the Artspace Model
To ensure the project meets the actual needs of the local creative class, Artspace will lead a series of public discussions this summer. A core group of community members will organize meetings to gather feedback, which will then be used to build a comprehensive feasibility study.
“The idea is to gather a lot of input over those three days and use that input to develop the feasibility study,” Mullins said. Exact dates for these sessions are expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
The Artspace model is designed specifically for those who earn below the median area income. Recognizing the financial volatility of artistic careers, the nonprofit typically develops spaces for “creatives” who often maintain additional income sources outside of their art. These projects are generally funded through a blend of public contributions and philanthropic donations, and can involve either new construction or the repurposing of existing buildings.
A Proven Blueprint for Urban Creativity
East Lansing is leaning on a proven national track record. Artspace currently manages 56 operating properties across the United States and has five more in development, including a project in Detroit. Once a building is completed, the organization continues to manage the property to ensure that rents remain affordable for the long term.
The success of these developments often hinges on the “live-work” synergy, allowing artists to eliminate the commute between their studio and their home, which in turn fosters a denser, more interactive creative community.
The city’s next steps depend entirely on the results of the summer feasibility study. If the market analysis proves favorable, Mullins said the city would then move into a more serious discussion regarding specific site selection and the start of pre-development activities.
Residents and local artists can expect official dates for the summer public forums to be released by the city in the coming weeks.
Do you think dedicated artist housing would change the culture of downtown East Lansing? Share your thoughts in the comments or share this story with your creative network.
