Former Stocking and Alexander Elementary Schools Could Get New Life Through Redevelopment

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Two former school buildings in Grand Rapids could soon have new life as developers and community organizations submit proposals to repurpose the sites. Grand Rapids Public Schools has received multiple submissions for the former Alexander Elementary School and Stocking Elementary School locations, marking the next step in the district's "Reimagine GRPS with us!" initiative — a comprehensive plan for deciding the future of vacant, closed, and underused district properties.

The two-month request for proposals period closed on April 1, 2026. Both sites were part of a broader restructuring plan that saw Stocking Elementary School permanently close in 2024 after opening in 1924.

Four Proposals for Alexander Site

For the Alexander site, four submissions came in with varied redevelopment visions:

• Cross Contracting LLC
• LifeQuest Urban Outreach
• Q9 Development Co.
• The Annex Group

These proposals reflect a mix of redevelopment visions — ranging from community-focused programming to housing and mixed-use possibilities. The specific details for each submission are posted online, giving neighbors a chance to explore the ideas before the district makes its recommendation.

Community Interest in Stocking Site

The former Stocking Elementary School also drew significant interest from community members and developers. The proposals here include:

• Anne Meyer
• Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC)
• West Grand Neighborhood Association (WGNO)

Like the Alexander proposals, detailed information for each submission is available online, allowing neighbors to review and provide feedback on the different concepts.

Public Input Shaped Evaluation Criteria

In January 2026, GRPS hosted public meetings and opened online input forms to collect community feedback on possible uses for the sites. Neighbors shared thoughts on potential uses, concerns about property preservation, and priorities for integrating these facilities into the surrounding neighborhoods. That feedback helped guide the criteria the district will now use to evaluate each proposal.

Next Steps

GRPS plans to present a recommendation to the Board of Education on Monday, May 11, during the Ad Hoc Facilities Committee meeting and Regular Board Meeting. Both sessions will be held at the Rev. Lyman S. Parks Administration building at 1331 Martin Luther King Jr. St. SE.

The shuttered school buildings represent a significant challenge for the district as it continues to manage its facilities portfolio amid ongoing restructuring efforts. The proposals now under review could determine how these historic education sites serve the wider Grand Rapids community in their next chapter.