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SkyVue Apartments Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Greeted By Protesters

SkyVue Apartments in the Frandor section of Lansing celebrated the completion of its construction with a ribbon cutting ceremony this Thursday. 

Under blue skies, the nine-story, $90-million dollar apartment complex on Michigan Avenue opened to cheers and some protests on August 10.

Mayor Virg Bernero considers projects such as SkyVue to be vital to Lansing’s economic growth.

“We are committed to Lansing not being the hole in the donut, but to becoming the hub of the wheel. You’re seeing it happen right before your eyes, you’re seeing it all along Michigan avenue.” Bernero said.

Sarah Rainero, regional director for Michigan Economic Development, says the modernly designed complex is designed to attract young talent to Lansing.

“We’re working under the impression that talent is attracted to place and they’re attracted to vibrant places where they can live, work and play.” Rainero said.

The ceremony was greeted by protestors, which were a common roadside sight during SkyVue’s construction. One protestor, Tyler McCastle, claimed SkyVue neglected using local labor.

“It’s one thing that this project did not support nor help with at all—the local people and the local jobs.” McCastle said.

Previous protests claimed contractors used on the site did not pay standard wages or benefits. The CEO of one of the contractors targeted said their wages were indeed competitive.

SkyVue’s residents will begin moving into the one, two and four bedroom apartment units starting early this fall. 

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