According to the United States Census Bureau and an annexation in 2002, the city has a total area of 33.41 square kilometrekm sq (12.90 square miles). 23.38 km sq (12.89 mi sq) of it is land and 0.009% is water. Lake Lansing is nearby and is approximately 500 acres (2 km sq) in size. East Lansing's annexation in 2002 of Bath Township, MichiganBath Township lands added 1.65 mi sq of area to East Lansing to the north of the city that included a fast growing area. This came with some controversy as some Bath Township, MichiganBath Township officials claimed that the City of East Lansing was directly funding and helping the five petitioners, reportedly all Michigan State University students, in favor of annexation. These claims were never substantiated. The city's downtown area is centered around Grand River Avenue, a wide tree-lined boulevard that evolved out of the 19th century plank road that connected Lansing, MichiganLansing to Detroit, MichiganDetroit. Grand River Avenue serves as dividing line between the Michigan State University campus and the rest of the city. Grand River Ave. is lined with many college-oriented businesses, such as bar (establishment)bars, Sun tanningtanning salons, coffee shops, head shops, restaurants (many dine al fresco) and antiquarian bookstores. Immediately north of downtown are studentificationpredominantly student neighborhoods. Further north of that is the residential part of the city, which is much like any other suburb. At the very northern tier of the city are several new student-oriented apartment complexes. These new developments are far from the university, but their lower property tax rates allow them to offer students more amenities for their monthly rent. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Lansing%2C_Michigan