Lansing developer Pat Gillespie chosen to build massive Spartan Gateway District at MSU
Sarah Atwood- Michigan State University has selected G&G Project Sparta, LLC to develop the Spartan Gateway District.
- The $150 million project will include an Olympic sports arena, hotel, apartments, restaurants, and office space.
- MSU will lease the land to the developers in a public-private partnership.
EAST LANSING – Lansing developer Pat Gillespie, who redeveloped the 600 block of Michigan Avenue in Lansing and the Izzo Family Medical Center among other projects, is part of the development team behind a major new initiative to remake the western entrance to MSU’s campus.
MSU officials on Friday confirmed that G&G Project Sparta, LLC, a joint venture between the Gillespie Group and Omaha, Nebraska-based Goldenrod Companies, as the developer for the Spartan Gateway District.
The State Journal first reported the development, which will include a $150 million Olympic sports arena, a hotel, apartments, restaurants and office space, on Monday. MSU did not disclose the developers until Friday.
About 14 acres of a largely wooded area directly south of the under-construction Student Health and Recreation Center on Harrison Road would be razed for the Spartan Gateway District. The plans would transform the entrance to campus off US 127 and Trowbridge Road.
MSU trustees approved the project Friday morning, with trustee Mike Balow, a Plymouth Republican, voting no and trustee Sandy Pierce of Northville, who has no party affiliation, abstaining.
The project is unique because MSU officials plan to lease land to a developer under a long-term agreement in exchange for developments in addition to the arena, such as the hotel. The university will build the arena.
“A development like this represents a bold vision for the future of MSU, one that enhances the student experience, ignites sustained economic momentum and creates an iconic gateway that radiates the spirit, innovation and inclusive values of both the campus and the East Lansing community,” Gillespie, founder and CEO of Gillespie Group, said. “It’s not just a project. It’s a catalyst for generations.”
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Gillespie has been involved in many recognizable developments across the Lansing area, including The Outfield, an $11 million, four-story building overlooking the outfield of Jackson Field, home to the Lansing Lugnuts minor league baseball team.
Goldenrod Companies specializes in public-private developments, and boasts on its website of projects done for the University of Nebraska and Colorado State University.
“The Spartan Gateway District is an incredibly exciting opportunity to partner with Michigan State University on a project that will help shape the future of both campus and community life,” Zach Wiegert, managing principal of Goldenrod Companies, said.
In addition to the 6,000 seat sports arena, which will host MSU volleyball, gymnastics and wrestling, the site will include a hotel, housing, retail, restaurants, offices, parking and a future academic or health care development, according to university documents.
The project is expected to be developed in three phases. The arena, hotel and parking would be completed first. The arena is expected to be operational by late 2027 with the hotel and parking operational by mid-2028.
The housing, office space and retail are expected to be open in 2030. The future MSU health care or academic facility completion date is still to be determined.
The sports arena is expected to cost the university $150 million. The rest of the Spartan Gateway District will be paid for through a public private partnership with the developer financing the hotel, housing, retail, office space and parking facilities. No costs were disclosed for those developments.
MSU officials said the project will spur economic activity for the surrounding area and directly contribute to an enhanced experience for the Spartan community.
“The Spartan Gateway District is a transformative investment in the Lansing region’s future,” said Tim Daman, president and CEO of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. “This visionary project will elevate the vibrancy of our community, enhance our regional brand, attract new visitors and businesses and deepen the connection between the university and the broader Lansing community.”
MSU issued a request for proposals in July, and officials said they received interest from local and national developers. That list was narrowed to three developers late last year.
MSU Athletic Director Alan Haller previously told the State Journal he envisions the sporting arena to be a multi-use space that can also host the state finals in number of Michigan High School Athletic Association sports, as well concerts and other events in the Lansing area.
The project summary noted that the development will require MSU "to define a long-term strategy for the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center."
This story was updated to add video.