“To go from Friday saying that we had a chance to hearing tonight that three of the committee members don’t feel that we’re the good fit or the right fit, that was hard.”
That’s Annette Vandenberg, executive director of West Grand Neighborhood Organization, speaking at the Grand Rapids Board of Education meeting Monday night, where the board voted to sell the former Stocking school site to Commonwealth Development Corporation for $1 million to build affordable housing.
WGNO was originally listed as the recommended buyer for the property, wanting to purchase the site for $850,000, turning it into a community hub with affordable housing units, something neighbors wanted, according to WGNO President Maurice Baker.
“They didn’t say that they wanted a 59-unit apartment complex that, more likely than not, could possibly house people that maybe or maybe not could even afford it.”
Commonwealth representative Hanna Greening stated the developer wants to work with WGNO, offering them exclusive rights for up to a full acre at no charge.
“This is so that WGNO can execute on a number of their initiatives: community gardens, a picnic area, a dog park, and other open space and gathering features consistent with their vision and led by them.”
The Alexander school site will be purchased by Cross Contracting LLC for $1 million to build mixed-use community space and housing.
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