Grand Rapids — Affordable housing, a community center, an e-sports hub, possibly even another school. These were some of the ideas community members have for the repurposing of the former Alexander Elementary building.
Grand Rapids Public Schools is turning to the community for input about what should be done with two of its shuttered school buildings: Alexander and Stocking Elementary. The district recently hosted a series of community meetings to gather feedback on the matter; two meetings focused on Alexander, and two focused on Stocking.
Sharing Suggestions, Ideas
During the first meeting about the Alexander site, at 1010 Alexander St. SE, affordable housing topped the list of proposed future uses for the former school.
“This is a great neighborhood for that,” Amy Schenkel, a pastor at Neland Avenue Church, said of the opportunity to use the property for housing. She added, however, that she’d like to see a local development for local residents.
“There is a fear that the property will be developed by an outside partner with no connection to the neighborhood … and displace existing neighbors,” Schenkel said, noting that she’d like to see “a place for the community to say, ‘This is who we are. This represents us, and represents the beautiful diversity of this neighborhood.’”…