Old GR schools may become apartments, parks | News

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) --- A developer Tuesday hopes Grand Rapids city commissioners support his plans to turn four former elementary schools into low to moderate-income apartments.

The 142 apartments would be in what used to be the Stocking, Eastern, Lexington and Oakdale elementary schools.  

City planners have already supported the plans. On Tuesday, city commissioners will set public hearing dates for the financing incentives required to make the project work.

A key part of the plan would also expand Grand Rapids' park space.    The playgrounds and green areas of the schools would be deeded over to the city of Grand Rapids and Friends of Grand Rapids Parks.   They would maintain, operate and improve the open spaces as "public neighborhood parks in perpetuity."

They'd do so using reuse-incentives, with a part of the future tax proceeds captured in a fund dedicated to help pay for the park development.