Revised Gateway project proposal would prevent demolition of first-ever Biggby Coffee

By AJ Moser | Published 20 hours ago

The first-ever Biggby Coffee store, which is located in East Lansing, will not be torn down for an apartment complex project, as originally planned by DTN Management.

CEO Bob Fish founded the company in 1995 as Beaners Coffee. The original store was opened at the Grand River Avenue location March 15, 1995. The franchise now has more than 200 locations in the U.S.

The Gateway construction project, first proposed in 2013, required demolishing the coffee shop to make space for a six-story apartment building. The plan has since changed to a four-story building as the proposed project would have cut off public views to Valley Court Park.

Cost estimates for the Gateway project are down significantly after the design changes from $22 million to $9 million. In addition, the number of apartment units has been cut from the proposed 160.

Gateway will now focus on a vacant lot across from Delta Street. The complex will feature underground parking, a bank with a drive-thru, available space for retail stores on the first floor and a total of 39 two-bedroom apartments on upper floors.

The original plan had also included a rebuilt Biggby coffee on the first floor, which will no longer be necessary.

The Biggby location at 270 W. Grand River Ave. provides a valuable resource to MSU students as it is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This is a great location, close to campus, said political science junior Keith Davis. And I can easily access somewhere to study.

Students also appreciate the quiet late-night atmosphere, as opposed to the sometimes raucous Main Library.

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Revised Gateway project proposal would prevent demolition of first-ever Biggby Coffee