In July of 2007 The Greater Lansing Business Monthly’s urban renewal issue featured the commencing construction of the Stadium District project and local developer and president of Gillespie Group, Pat Gillespie. Today the Stadium District is completed, with strong commercial tenants, including the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Great Lakes Chocolate & Coffee Company, secured on the first and second levels, with 82 percent of the commercial components occupied. The project has also experienced extremely positive responses to the residential rental components with all of the apartments currently rented and half of the fourth floor condominiums secured.

Rachel Michaud, vice president of the Gillespie Group, admits that the current economy has presented some struggles for the Stadium District project. A combination of the existing credit crisis and the falling value and overstock of for-sale homes have created marketing and sales challenges. Yet, despite the tough economy Michaud credits the project’s success to Gillespie Group’s ability to provide customers with a desirable site for living and working.

“Even in a tough economic climate, we have learned that the right product in the right location is highly desired and needed,” she says.