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: Site Tours
- February 18: Deadline for Submittal of Respondent Questions
- March 4: Answers to Respondent Questions Due
- April 1: Proposal Submittal Date
- April: Shortlist Respondents
- May: Present finalists to Board of Education
- June: Board of Education vote
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) -- The Grand Rapids Board of Education has approved moving forward with the sale of the former Alexander and Stocking school sites to developers planning projects that will bring housing, childcare and community services to our neighborhoods.
The board voted to move forward with the sale of the former Alexander school, located at 1010 Alexander St. SE, to Cross Contracting LLC. Cross Contracting proposed purchasing the Alexander site for $1 million and transforming it into a mixed-use community development. Plans include the adaptive reuse of the existing building for childcare, youth programming and nonprofit or community-serving organizations, along with residential housing. Alexander closed as a school in 2010.
The board also approved moving forward with the sale of the former Stocking school, located at 863 Seventh St. NW, to Commonwealth Development Corporation. Commonwealth Development Corporation proposed purchasing the site for $1 million and redeveloping it into affordable multifamily housing, community space, and health center. Stocking closed as a school in 2024.
As part of the Reimagine GRPS with Us! initiative, the district committed to identifying new uses for former school properties that provide long-term value to the community. Neighborhood meetings held in January helped shape the requests for proposals and evaluation criteria used to review submissions.
GRPS received seven proposals across the two sites. Following review, the top two proposals for each property advanced to interviews before being presented to the Board of Education for final consideration.
"We would like to thank all of the organizations that took the time to submit proposals for our former school sites," said Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby. "Throughout the evaluation process, two submissions at each site consistently emerged as the strongest candidates. We look forward to seeing these projects become a reality and contribute lasting value to our community."
"I want to thank my board colleagues for their diligent work throughout this pilot process," said Board of Education President José Rodriguez. "The proposals we received reflect exactly the kind of vision we hoped to see - creative ideas that will strengthen our neighborhoods and serve our community for years to come. The projects selected will transform these former school sites into new opportunities for the families our schools have long supported.”
GRPS has partnered with real estate experts at JLL to serve as the district’s owner’s representative.
Click to view the full proposals.
