Posted: Dec 12, 2007 01:01 PM

Katherine Jones WLNS 6 News

In Jackson, the city council took some major steps that could have a big impact on the city. First, an update on two major construction proposals. Council voted to approve redevelopment of both the old Consumers Energy building and the Hayes Hotel on Michigan Avenue. Developers at the meeting could hardly wait to hear the outcome of a vote they say would change the face of Jackson.

Bruce Inosencio, member of Hayes development: "It will be hopefully an economic push for our group, but also for the city and the community as a whole."

City council made a big decision by voting unanimously to approve development to the former Hayes Hotel and the old Consumers Energy building next door.

Jerry Ludwig, Jackson Mayor: "It's a happy day for the city because we really haven't done much as far as redevelopment for the western part of our city."

Now both the city and developers are ready to take the next step in turning the once vacant buildings into thriving businesses, but funding the project is the one hurdle that the city says could get in the way of progress.

Jerry Ludwig: "I'm cautiously optimistic, because there's always the wheeling and dealings and the negotiation process, and there's going to have to be a lot of give and take from the city and the developers."

Still, the city says, as they wait to put the ink on the paper, they'll continue forward to bringing a positive change to the city of Jackson.

Jerry Ludwig: "This is a fresh start, not only with the council, but looking forward to a little bit of a better year than what we had in the past."

The city of Jackson says both sides will enter into negotiations under a development agreement to start construction on those projects.