Sterling Heights City Council OKs Development Proposal for Lakeside Mall
The Lakeside Mall property’s future life as a mixed-use center is moving closer to reality. On Tuesday, Dec. 17, the Sterling Heights City Council approved a significant development initiative to transform the facility into more than 2,300 multi-family units with a park at its center.
Dubbed Lakeside City Center, the development plans call for turning the mall property into five distinct neighborhoods, some with high-rises and commercial space for restaurants, retail, and open space.
Miami-based real estate firm Lionheart Capital, which submitted plans for the mall’s development, cautioned that the ideas proposed for the space are conceptual to account for future market demands.
James Mellor of architectural and engineering firm Arcadis, which is partnering with Lionheart on the project, said the division of the property into neighborhoods creates placemaking potential for residents and visitors. For example, one neighborhood called “The Crossroads” would foster “a neighborhood that supports a blend of suburban and urban lifestyles,” according to details in the Lakeside City Center design draft obtained by The Detroit News.
Erich Dohrer, a principal with Arcadis, said the firm wants the master development plan to remain viable for the foreseeable future and is proposing higher zoning height allowances. These height allowances would permit building heights of up to 50 stories in the northern area of the site, 35 stories in the central portion, and 10 stories in the southern region.
Before issuing its approval, Sterling Heights City Council members questioned how the development would impact the community’s environment and safety. According to Councilman Henry Yanez, “I’m quite certain that Out of the Box Ventures wants to make money on this project. They’re not doing it because they’re a charity. I don’t think they want to lose money,” The Detroit News reported.
The project’s next steps include approving a final site plan and submitting applications to the state of Michigan.
