East Lansing, Michigan
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| East Lansing, Michigan | |||||
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| Coordinates: | |||||
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| Country | United States | ||||
| State | Michigan | ||||
| County | Ingham & Clinton Counties | ||||
| Mayor | Samir Singh | ||||
| Area | |||||
| - City | 12.90 sq. miles / 33.41 km² | ||||
| - Land | 12.89 sq. miles / 23.38 km² | ||||
| - Water | 0.01 sq. miles / 0.02 km² | ||||
| Population | |||||
| - City (2000) | 46,525 (city proper) | ||||
| - Density | 1,596.7/km² | ||||
| 455,836 (Greater Lansing) | |||||
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) | ||||
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) | ||||
| Website: www.cityofeastlansing.com | |||||
East Lansing is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. Most of the city is within Ingham County, though a small portion lies in Clinton County. The population was 46,525 at the time of the 2000 census, of those 29,329 were classified as university students, or 63% of the total population. The Lansing metro area has a population of 455,836. It is best known as the home of Michigan State University.
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[edit] History
The settlement of East Lansing began around 1847, the same year nearby Lansing was made the capital of the state of Michigan. Downtown East Lansing was an important junction of two major Native American trails: the Okemah Road, and the Park Lake Trail. By 1850, the Lansing and Howell Plank Road Company was established to connect a toll road to the Detroit and Howell Plank Road, improving travel between Detroit and Lansing, which cut right through what is now East Lansing. The toll road was finished in 1853, and included seven tollhouses between Lansing and Howell.
Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University) was founded in 1855 and established in what is now East Lansing in 1857. For the first four decades, the students and faculty lived almost entirely on the College campus. A few commuted from Lansing, and that number increased when the streetcar line was built in the 1890s, but there were few places to live in the then-rural area immediately around the campus.
That started to change in 1887, when professors William J. Beal and Rolla C. Carpenter created Collegeville, along what is now Harrison, Center, and Beal streets north of Michigan Avenue. Few faculty were attracted to the location, and the first residents were "teamsters and laborers". In 1898, the College Delta subdivision (including what is now Delta Street) had the support of the College itself, which provided utilities, and several professors built homes there (one of which survives today at 243 W. Grand River Ave.). Other subdivisions followed.
At that time, the post office address was "Agricultural College, Michigan". A school district encompassing the nascent community was created in 1900. In 1907, incorporation as a city was proposed under the name "College Park"; the legislature approved the charter but changed the name to "East Lansing".
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau and an annexation in 2002, the city has a total area of 33.41 km² (12.90 mi²). 23.38 km² (12.89 mi²) of it is land and 0.009% is water. Lake Lansing is nearby and is approximately 500 acres (2 km²) in size.
East Lansing's last annexation in 2002 added 1.65 mi² of area to East Lansing to the north of the city that included a fast growing area. This came with some controversy as some Bath Township officials claimed that the City of East Lansing was directly funding and helping the five petitioners, reportedly all Michigan State University students, in favor of annexation. The claims were never substantiated
The city's downtown area is centered around Grand River Avenue, a wide tree-lined boulevard that evolved out of the 19th century plank road that connected Lansing to Detroit. Grand River Avenue serves as dividing line between the Michigan State University campus and the rest of the city. Grand River Ave. is lined with many college-oriented businesses, such as bars, tanning salons, coffee shops, head shops, restaurants (many dine al fresco) and antiquarian bookstores. Immediately north of downtown are predominantly student neighborhoods. Further north of that is the residential part of the city, which is much like any other suburb. At the very northern tier of the city are several new student-oriented apartment complexes. These new developments are far from the university, but their lower property tax rates allow them to offer students more amenities for their monthly rent.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 46,525 people, 14,390 households, and 5,094 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,596.7/km² (4,136.6/mi²). There were 15,321 housing units at an average density of 525.8/km² (1,362.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.91% White, 7.40% African American, 0.33% Native American, 8.21% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.95% from other races, and 2.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.69% of the population.
There were 14,390 households out of which 16.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.6% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 64.6% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the city the population was spread out with 9.0% under the age of 18, 58.6% from 18 to 24, 16.4% from 25 to 44, 9.9% from 45 to 64, and 6.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,217, and the median income for a family was $61,985. Males had a median income of $43,767 versus $30,556 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,333. About 11.0% of families and 34.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.8% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Government
East Lansing has a Council-manager government, where the city council appoints one of its own as mayor, and another of its own as mayor pro tem is a city council member with extra ceremonial duties. The city council consists of 5 at-large council members who are elected to 4-year terms in November of odd-numbered years.
[edit] Education
Michigan State University, a member of the Big Ten Conference, is the largest education institution in the State of Michigan (6th largest in the United States), reflecting East Lansing's history as a college town. MSU has more than 200 programs of study including three medical schools, a law school, and numerous PhD programs. East Lansing High School is the main high school in the city, and is most famous for being the alma mater of Google co-founder Larry Page. Nearby Lansing is home to several other colleges, including Thomas M. Cooley Law School which is the largest law school in the United States, Davenport University, and Lansing Community College.
The University of Michigan, another member of the Big Ten Conference, is about 50 miles southeast of East Lansing. Ingham County (including East Lansing) and Washtenaw County (including Ann Arbor), which adjoin at one corner, are the two most highly educated counties in Michigan.
[edit] Transportation
Amtrak, Indian Trails , and Greyhound all provide intercity rail and bus services at the East Lansing Amtrak depot, which is located at 1240 South Harrison Road near the Michigan State University main campus. Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) provides public bus transit to East Lansing, Lansing, Michigan, and surrounding areas. Three major interstates and one U.S. Highway serve the East Lansing area including: I-96, I-69, I-496, and US 127. Finally, two class one freight railroads serve East Lansing including Canadian National Railways (CN) and CSX Transportation (CSXT).
[edit] Culture
[edit] Town/gown relations
The City of East Lansing has not had good relations with University students in recent years. Prior to the 1960s, East Lansing was a "dry" town, and students seeking alcohol went to the outskirts of the area. Popular haunts in the post-WWII period included the Coral Gables (a rock bar until the mid-'80s), the former Deer Head Inn on Haslett Rd., the 701 Club, Mac's Bar on Michigan, and Dagwood's on Kalamazoo.
After the student take-over of the Administration Building in 1970 over the "invasion" of Cambodia, life at MSU soon became much more easy-going, as the police were far more concerned about protests than parties. It was soon thereafter "Post-Vietnam," and large block bashes on Grove St. and in Cedar Village, became legendary.
The peak was perhaps in 1979, when there was a party at Akers Hall that took in over 3000 people. Up to '85, any band could set up shop in a house in town with drums and Marshall stax and blow out. No longer.
By the mid-'80s, MSU became a party destination for non-students (mostly inconsiderate road-tripping high-schoolers) from all over the state. The general "rules" obeyed by most students were ignored by visitors. In the summer of 1987, Todd Turrentine "died" while "eluding" EL police from a huge party at Howland House (Howland House was built at the corner of Abbott and Grand River, was moved to Ann Street, and moved intact again to its current location on MAC to make way for the hotel). The death of Turrentine signaled the "end of the end" of the "old days". By 1987, the block parties grew out of control, and were banned outright by the City out of necessity.
A neighborhood "noise" ordinance had already ensued in 1986, killing any hope of a live band at any house in town. Meanhwile, new, most-harsh on-campus anti-alcohol rules were announced and enforced (expulsion for a keg/common source!), and any hope of having a large bash in a dorm was thereafter gone. So, the only places left for students to gather and party with booze and tunes were the bars in the "triangle."
However, throughout the 1990's MSU remained one of the Top Party destinations in the United States. Princeton and Playboy Magazine both gave heavy recognition to MSU and found itself in the rankings yearly with other schools such as Indiana, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Florida State, and Wisconsin. Even though it was illegal, bands still played at many house parties, and party-goers could find a fun gathering anywhere from Thursday to Saturday.
In 2003, MSU strengthened its noise violation and made having a common source of alcohol (keg), too many people within 20 feet of space, noise (music), and underage drinking part of the extended violation which allowed the ELPD the ability to break-up nearly every party. As the ELPD had been somewhat passive in the past, they became overly aggressive as a response to the riot that occurred after the basketball team lost in the Final Four to Texas. The police became overly aggressive in many of the students eyes, as people became afraid to throw massive parties because of the huge fines and possible jailtime. Parties became an "underground" theme by early 2004 and no longer were 200+ people packing the backyards of houses.
The most recent strict-rules enforced by MSU include banning open alcohol on campus. Before, students could walk around with open bottles of liquor if they were on the University. Now, they may not have open alcohol unless it is football Saturday a few hours before kickoff. Tailgaters are no longer allowed to stay longer than 6 hours after kickoff or spend the entire weekend on campus for one game. This was enforced to stop the alumni from making regular trips to have a 3-day party. In the past thousands would gather at the tennis courts on Wilson Rd. and "The Rock" at Farm Lane. (Before that, it was Munn Field in the 1980's with kegs, which tailgaters were banned from and moved to the other locations). After the team lost to Notre Dame in 2003 in Spartan Stadium, the school passed strict ordinances to stop the tailgating on campus. MSU was widely-known as one of the best tailgates in the nation. Now, it is just a memory as most of the partiers have taken their tailgate memories off-campus for much smaller gatherings. It is rumored that the University will ban smoking in all dorms within the next few years on campus.
In recent years, "town and gown" relations have soured as students and permanent residents looked at each other with increasing hostility, which erupted in riots in 1997,<ref>Terlep, Sharon. "E.L. turmoil angers city". The State News. September 9, 1997.</ref> 1998,<ref>Mullin, Greg. "17 arrested in weekend riot". The State News. May 4, 1998.</ref> 1999,<ref>Staff reports. "Thousands of revelers crowd streets in violent, fiery riot". The State News. March 28, 1999.</ref>and disturbances in 2003.<ref>Eder,Steve. "Darkest Night". The State News. 2006.</ref> After two years without major incidents, another disturbance happened on April 2, 2005 after MSU's defeat to North Carolina in the 2005 men's basketball Final Four.<ref>Phillips, Lauren. "Police, student actions disputed". The State News. April 4, 2005.</ref>
The Cedar Village area, which houses several large student housing complexes bordering campus, has been the site of several riots and disturbances. Some may suggest that these disturbances are the reasoning behind the city's decision to declare Cedar Village "blighted" . The city has proposed to redevelop the 35 acre (140,000 m²) site as a complex of upscale condominiums and retail stores called East Village. Led by several fraternities in the affected area, students have mounted a campaign against the redevelopment plan.<ref>Cendrowski, Scott. "FarmHouse and friends fight East Village plan". December 7, 2005.</ref> As of 2006, the plan remains at a stalemate.<ref>Darrow, Bob. "Planning commission makes little progress on future of Cedar Village area". December 15, 2005.</ref>
From March 29 to April 2, 2006, East Lansing hosted the USA Hockey National Tournament. The age group that competed there were players from the U-14 Tier 2. States were represented with teams from Massachusetts, Michigan, Alaska, Nebraska, Florida, California, Conneticut, Indiana, New York,and Pennsylvania. In the end, The LA Hockey Club representing California won.
In 2007, the City of East Lansing will celebrate its Centennial. The celebration will begin in January 2007 with a kick-off press conference at the Marriott Hotel in downtown East Lansing. Events through out the year will include an old fashion concert and a birthday party. There will be a historic homes tour, where city officials will visit some of the oldest residences in the city. A fireworks show will take place in August, along with many more events through out the year. With Michigan State University's Sesquicentennial ice cream flavor such a huge success, the City of East Lansing has contracted Melting Moments ice cream shop to develop a Centennial ice cream flavor. Different flavors will be developed, with residents voting on their favorite. All downtown businesses have been encouraged to take part in Centennial festivities. The People's Church on MAC Avenue is also celebrating its 50th birthday in 2007. An MAC block party is in the works for both the city and the church. Residents are also asked to submit their favorite stories, pictures and memories on the Centennial website. Residents can go on the website and see photogrpahs dating back to the early 1900's. The website lists all Centennial events and includes a complete history of the city. Fun East Lansing facts can also be found, along with a list of famous East Lansing residents. As always Michigan State University and the City of East Lansing will partner on many of the events to allow both students and full time residents to participate.
[edit] Points of interest
[edit] On campus
- W. J. Beal Botanical Garden which is the oldest botanical garden in the United States.
- Michigan State University Horticulture Gardens
- Beaumont Tower
- Red Cedar River
- Wharton Center for the Performing Arts (Great Hall and Pasant Theatre), the Fairchild Theatre, and the MSU Auditorium (Main Stage and Arena Theater).
- Abrams Planetarium and the MSU Observatory
- Spartan Stadium and Sparty, the MSU mascot is the largest ceramic statute in the world.
- Breslin Center
- MSU Forest Akers Golf Courses
- MSU Pavilion
- Sparty is the nickname of "the Spartan" a large statue located on campus representing the MSU mascot, a Spartan warrior. The statue is guarded by MSU students amidst rival sports team meetings, usually Big Ten basketball or football, to prevent rivals from defacing of the statue. Sparty is frequently used as a landmark when giving directions on campus. In recent years, the original statue, reputed to be the largest freestanding ceramic sculpture in the world, was relocated indoors to protect it from the weather, and replaced on its original site with a bronze replica.
- The Rock is a large boulder, approximately five feet high, originally placed near Beaumont Tower by the Class of 1873, since relocated to a site northeast of the Farm Lane Bridge. It serves as a venue for student groups (an invitation would read: "Wednesday, 7pm at the Rock") and is routinely graffitied by those groups.
[edit] Off campus
- Hannah Community Center (formerly a middle school) with the White Performing Arts Theatre.
- East Lansing Public Library
- The Habitrail, or Hamster Cage, or Gerbil Cage is a large multicolored parking structure near campus that resembles a home for pet rodents. The controversial design resulted from the city's instructions to the architect that the building be "festive" and have "no brick".
- East Lansing Family Aquatic Center
- The Meridan Mall is a large suburban shopping mall in Okemos near the campus of Michigan State University.
- Trowbridge railroad junction (located near Trowbridge Road) and the nearby Amtrak depot are popular spots with railfans for train watching. At Trowbridge, the busy Grand Trunk Western Railroad line connecting Chicago to Toronto intersects the former Pere Marquette Railroad (now Conrail line from Detroit to Grand Rapids.
[edit] Notable restaurants and bars
- El Az (also Teco): El Azteco, a local restaurant noted for its margaritas and enchiladas. Insiders here know that a frijole burrito is called a fribur (pronounced free'bər). ElAzteco is one of E.L.'s longest lasting establishments, celebrating its 30th anniversary in august 2006. Many old MSU alumni know El Az when it was located under Cambells Smoke shop on M.A.C. But in 1991 the resurant moved to its present location at 215 Ann St. Art Santa Cruz is the owner of this local haven for loco's. El Az has employed some people note; State Rep. Fred Miller, NPR journalist Sarah Hulett, superstar techno DJ scotto, to name a few.
- PT's is P.T O'Malleys, a bar that often offers (usually-solo) live music. Bar-side TVs usually have sports.
- The Barrel is the nick for The Peanut Barrel, the unique pub on Grand River that offers a rare blend of both students and locals and the best burgers (and best people-watching outdoor seating area) in town. The Peanut Barrel also has a dart league on Monday nights.
- The "Riv" is the Riviera Cafe, a drinking establishment on the corner of M.A.C. and Albert, and home to one of the best and loudest rock juke-boxes in town. The best place to play pool in town.
- Sultan's, located on South Hagadorn Road is a mediterranean restaurant that offers authentic and wholesome cuisines.
[edit] Other notable businesses
- FBC short for Flat Black and Circular (the qualities of a vinyl LP), in reference to the long-established used record store. FBC has one of the largest and most diverse record collections in mid-Michigan.
[edit] Outside East Lansing
- The city of Lansing is adjacent to East Lansing. Lansing has, among other things, the State Capitol, Hall of Justice (Supreme Court), and Michigan Library and Historical Center. Lansing also is the home of the Lansing Lugnuts minor league baseball team. There is an historic City Market in downtown Lansing, next to the Grand River, which has the distinct taste and flair of Europe.
- Lake Lansing is nearby and is approximately 500 acres (2.0 km²) in size. The lake has an outstanding beach, and is a summer favorite of swimmers, sunbathers, boaters and fishermen. The Lansing Sailing Club and Michigan State University Sailing Club have facilities on Lake Lansing where sailing regattas are held throughout the summer months.
[edit] Newspapers
- State News [1]
- Lansing State Journal [2]
- Lansing City Pulse [3]
[edit] Local events
- East Lansing Film Festival is the largest festival of its kind in Michigan.
- East Lansing Art Festival is a juried art show held each spring, on the weekend before Memorial Day.
[edit] Notable people
- Spencer Abraham, former US Senator and Secretary of Energy under President, George W. Bush.
- Timothy Busfield, director and Emmy Award-winning actor, known for his roles on television series such as Eliot Weston on thirtysomething and Danny Concannon on The West Wing.
- Jim Cash, screenwriter of films such as Top Gun, Legal Eagles, Dick Tracey, and Anaconda, was a long-time resident of East Lansing and a professor at MSU. Born in Boyne City, MI.
- Todd Martin, tennis pro. Graduate of ELHS.
- Ryan Miller, goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres.
- Larry Page, co-founder of Google.
- Wally Pleasant, comedic folk singer.
- Ben Poquette, NBA basketball player.
- Susan May Pratt, actress.
- Malcolm X lived in the Urbandale neighborhoood in Lansing Township, a short distance west of East Lansing, and wrote about his East Lansing experiences in his autobiography.
- The Verve Pipe, post-grunge band.
[edit] Notes
<references/>
[edit] External links
- Virtual Michigan: City of East Lansing
- A Brief History of East Lansing, Michigan
- East Lansing Film Festival
- East Lansing Art Festival
- East Lansing Public Library
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
| Cities and communities of Ingham County, Michigan | |
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