Reimagine Former School Sites
Grand Rapids Public Schools is working to find new uses for our former school sites that will add value to our community. We invite you to Reimagine with us!
The Board of Education has directed the district to start this process by examining the future of former Alexander Elementary School and former Stocking Elementary School.
Alexander Elementary School
Site Location: 1010 Alexander St. SE
School closed: 2010
Building size: 15,570 square feet
Lot size: 3.13 acres
Community Meetings: Held on January 14, 2026.
Stocking Elementary School
Site Location: 863 7th St. NW
School closed: 2024
Building size: 36,949 square feet
Lot size: 3.59 acres
Community Meetings: Held on January 15, 2026.
Timeline for Alexander and Stocking:
- Week of January 26: Request for Proposals Distributed
- February 4: Site Tours
- February 18: Deadline for Submittal of Respondent Questions
- March 4: Answers to Respondent Questions Due
- April 1: Proposal Submittal Date
- Before April 27: Shortlist Respondents with GRPS Ad Hoc Facilities Committee
- After April 27: Respondent Interviews (if needed)
- May 1: Property Under Contract
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) – Grand Rapids Public Schools has received multiple proposals for new uses of the former Alexander and Stocking elementary school sites, marking the next step in the district’s long-term facilities planning process.
The request for proposals is part of the district’s Reimagine GRPS with Us! initiative, a comprehensive effort guiding the district’s long-term planning. As part of this effort, GRPS developed a framework for reviewing and repurposing vacant, closed, and underutilized facilities. The framework outlines district priorities, community engagement expectations, and criteria for long-range decision-making regarding GRPS facilities and properties.
The two-month request for proposals period closed on April 1. The following organizations submitted proposals:
Alexander site:
- Cross Contracting LLC
- LifeQuest Urban Outreach
- Q9 Development Co.
- The Annex Group
Stocking site:
- Anne Meyer
- Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC)
- West Grand Neighborhood Association (WGNO)
You can view a summary of proposals by clicking on the links below:
Next, proposals will be evaluated by the district. Community input gathered through public meetings and online forms in January 2026 helped to form the evaluation criteria.
GRPS plans to present a recommendation to the Board of Education during the Ad Hoc Facilities Committee meeting and Regular Board Meeting on Monday, May 11. Both meetings are scheduled to be held at the Rev. Lyman S. Park Administration Building, 1331 Martin Luther King Jr. St SE.
