GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A westside neighborhood organization has proposed collaboration with community nonprofits to repurpose a permanently closed Grand Rapids Public School.
Stocking Elementary closed at the end of the 2024 academic year as part of the school district’s reimagine plan. Since then, Annette Vanderberg with West Grand Neighborhood Organization said the community and surrounding neighbors have tried to keep the empty lot clean, but vacant buildings don’t wear well.
“Everybody loves this building. It’s historic. It’s iconic,” she said.
Prior to Stocking school closing, Vandenberg said they were already discussing leasing back the building from the school district. But the latest conversations with school board members have suggested the group should buy the site outright…