MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. — The Glendale School closed more than a decade ago because of declining enrollment in the Muskegon Height Public School District. The district auctioned off the contents of the school and worked to sell the property. But a sale never developed, and in recent years the building started falling apart.
In 2013 the Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority took ownership of the property. On Monday, April 22, workers began demolishing the old school to make room for affordable housing.
"The hope is to breath new life into the community," said Jeff Huntington, Interim Director of Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority. "It's a great spot for housing development because the site has been underutilized for the past ten years."
Eventually the state plans to work with city leaders in Muskegon Heights on similar development at the closed Lindbergh and Dr. Martin Luther King School. Lindbergh is owned by the Michigan Land Bank. The Dr. Martin Luther King School property is owned by Muskegon Heights. Both parties anticipate the RFP process for Lindbergh and King to kick off in the winter of 2019.
The Glendale property is a full city block.
"I'm excited about the possibilities that this is going to bring," said Kimberly Sims, Muskegon Heights Mayor. "We have to sometimes let go of the past and what this was, because our school was such an anchor."
Sims believes the future development at the site will be a turning point for the city. The city, like so many other urban communities, is still feeling the impact of downsizing in industry. Sims says Muskegon Heights needs more high-quality affordable housing to retain and attract new residents.
"This is the first step in what I'm considering the new Heights," Sims said.
The homes that will be built should sell for around $80,000.
Construction of up to five modular homes is anticipated to begin on the property following demolition, with the construction of the remaining 15 housing units projected to begin in 2020.
Demolition work will be performed by Melching Inc. and is expected to last four weeks.
The Michigan Land Bank received this property, along with two others, from the Muskegon Heights school district in June 2013. The state and city have worked together on the redevelopment plan for the Glendale School property for over a year.
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