“We want to come together and celebrate the decades of learning that’s happened at both of those locations.”
Reimagine GRPS Project Manager Luke Stier is speaking of Stocking Elementary and East Leonard Elementary, two schools that will be closing this week as part of Grand Rapids Public Schools’ Reimagine initiative.
“Stocking is celebrating it’s 100th year this year. East Leonard, that current building was built in the ‘50s, and there was a building on that same location previous to that, so learning has been happening on those sites in the city of Grand Rapids for decades.”
Stier says both schools are outdated and experiencing declining enrollment. Due to those conditions, students and staff will relocate to different schools within the district when classes resume this fall.
As for future uses? Stier says feedback includes turning them into public greenspaces as well as exploring the potential for affordable family housing.
“That’s a real issue here in the city of Grand Rapids. Also, potentially housing for GRPS staff. Is there a way that we could do that to make more affordable locations for some of the people who work here and serve our scholars?”
You can tour Stocking Elementary on Tuesday and East Leonard on Wednesday, both from 5 to 7 PM. There will be an opportunity at both events for the public to provide feedback on what should happen to the properties.
