LANSING - Things are looking up for downtown Lansing.

On August 29, Gillespie Group, a Lansing-based development firm, announced its plan to break ground on a four-story, mixed-use development at the 600 block of East Michigan Avenue in downtown Lansing in spring 2019.

The development will and include a 37,000 square-foot grocery store, a 150,590 square-foot building that will be developed into a 124-room hotel with a bar and restaurant, 300 parking spots and 36 one- and two-story apartments.

The $40 million development is a project city that officials have sought after for years, one that is expected to improve downtown Lansing.

“This is a game-changer for downtown Lansing,” Pat Gillespie, President of Gillespie Group, said while announcing the plan to local residents, city officials, business leaders and media outlets. “It will engage the pride of downtown Lansing residents and drastically change the quality of living. Downtown Lansing’s residents and the existing business community will reap the rewards of this project.”

Lansing Mayor and State Representative Andy Schor told The Lansing State Journal “Lansing’s time is now. We have seen so much work. We have seen incredible progress. But we aren’t done.”

The development is expected to open by the end of 2020 after a 120-day cleanup process due to site contamination.