MSU Trustees Approve Planning Study for New Campus and Community Development Project
The MSU Board of Trustees has approved a planning study for a new community-oriented venue that would include a hotel, retail space, and athletic arena, located near the proposed innovation center being developed by the MSU Research Foundation.
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University continues to expand its community development and economic footprint in the greater Lansing region. On September 6, the MSU Board of Trustees authorized university administration to begin a planning study for a new community-oriented venue as part of a public-private partnership at the corner of Harrison and Trowbridge roads.
The project aligns with the university’s Campus Facility and Land Use Plan and includes outreach and engagement efforts with surrounding communities. It involves constructing a hotel, retail space, and an athletics arena on 14 acres of vacant land along Harrison Road on the west side of campus. The arena will support volleyball, wrestling, gymnastics, and provide locker rooms and coaching office space, as well as university classrooms supporting various academic units. The hotel and retail space would be part of a public-private partnership between the university and the chosen developer.
“When I arrived in March and began these discussions, I knew we were standing at the threshold of something extraordinary,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “This public-private partnership project isn’t just about new buildings; it’s about creating a vibrant ecosystem that amplifies MSU’s mission. From state-of-the-art research spaces to a modern arena and contemporary accommodations, we are crafting an environment that nurtures personal growth, encourages healthy competition and propels academic excellence. This development will be a testament to MSU’s dedication to our students, faculty, staff, alumni and the broader Lansing community.”
The authorization by the board allows the university to initiate the formal bidding process for potential developers before moving into the Request for Proposal period in the coming weeks.
“A hallmark of a great institution like Michigan State University is being able to provide world-class facilities for students and student-athletes that enrich their collegiate experience,” said MSU Board Chair Dan Kelly. “Furthermore, the prospect of this facility using a public-private partnership model speaks to both MSU’s outreach and community engagement efforts and the institution’s role in economic development in the greater Lansing region. The board supports the university’s proposed next steps for the planning and exploration of this exciting project.”
The site is located just north of the Crescent Road redevelopment area, where the MSU Research Foundation is finalizing plans to build a new innovation center near the TechSmith Corporation headquarters.