EAST LANSING – Greg Ballein grew up in the book business.
Born and raised in Lansing, Ballein’s family has operated the Student Book Store on Grand River since 1960.
But now the market is changing, and with it, so will Student Book Store, if the East Lansing Planning Commission and City Council approve a proposal for a 12-story multi-use development.
The Howard
When Ballein’s dad, Howard Ballein, was a college student himself, he worked multiple jobs while in Columbus, Ohio, including working for the off-campus student bookstore, buying back used books from students. Ultimately, he was hired by a competing company who offered him the chance to open a bookstore anywhere he’d like.
Howard Ballein chose East Lansing, and after college he made the college town his home.
Now, to honor his dad, who died in 2021, Ballein is hoping to join forces with Harbor Bay Ventures to bring a new housing development north of campus.
“It left a huge hole,” he said about leading the store after his father’s death. “You say to yourself, ‘Man, I wish I could call my dad and ask him,’ even though I probably wouldn’t have. It’s having that taken away from you that provides that hole. It’s just weird, it’s just really weird.”
His father was 26 years old when he helped open the bookstore and made East Lansing his home. Ballein said he went to Bailey Elementary School and would walk over to the bookstore after school, reading children’s books in the upper mezzanine.
He ended up going to Western Michigan University before returning to the family business.
Both he and his brother agreed to call the proposed development “The Howard.” It gives them a chance to talk about their dad, Ballien said.
Mass timber
If the proposal gets approval from the city, The Howard would be the third East Lansing development the Ballein family would partner with Harbor Bay Ventures on.
They were responsible for building Landmark above the Target store on Grand River Avenue, and Newman Lofts senior housing at 200 Albert Ave., just north of Landmark and above the Foster Coffee Company.
Ballein said the family had good experiences partnering with Harbor Bay Ventures, and wanted to make a truly special development in honor of his dad.
“What’s more important is … you need to be responsible and build for future generations,” he said. “I want my grandkids to be proud of what we’ve built.”
Ballein said Harbor Bay Ventures worked on a project in Cleveland, Ohio, a development using mass timber, an engineered wood that is made by fastening smaller pieces of wood together to serve as columns and beams in construction.
The timber would replace steel beams, and, according to the submitted slide deck for the May 13 planning commission meeting, is faster to build with than steel.
Additionally, it’s more fire-resistant.
If approved as proposed, The Howard would be a 12-story, 296-unit apartment complex. The goal is for construction to be complete by 2028.
The ground floor level would be preserved as a commercial space.
Using mass timber is an expensive proposition, Ballein said, but is hopeful he can find a bank to help finance the development.
Mass timber isn’t as developed in the U.S. as it is in Europe, he said, so making developments with the material is more expensive.
What’s next for Student Book Store?
While Student Book Store doesn’t sell books anymore, the brand has not completely disappeared. The building is still open selling team merchandise, from sweatshirts to bottle openers.
While the store might temporarily close if the Howard is approved, the store will reopen and offer spirit wear, Ballein said.
Contact Karly Graham at kgraham@lsj.com. Follow her on X at @KarlyGrahamJrn.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: 12-story high-rise pitched for Student Book Store site in East Lansing
Reporting by Karly Graham, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
