Stocking Community Hub
A community-driven plan to transform Stocking Elementary into a neighborhood hub for affordable housing, workforce development, and community services.
For more than 100 years, Stocking Elementary has been a place where neighbors gathered, learned, and built community. Today, the building sits vacant—but the need for accessible services, affordable housing, workforce development, and shared community space has only grown.
The Stocking Community Hub is a proposal to bring this historic site back to life through a community-led adaptive reuse project. The vision creates a mixed-use destination where residents can access affordable housing, food resources, workforce development and adult education opportunities, youth and family programming, wellness services, and community connection—all in one place.
Designed to strengthen neighborhood stability and support Grand Rapids Public Schools, the Hub expands access to housing, services, and family resources while preserving and reactivating a historic community asset for future generations.
A final decision on the future of the site is approaching. Community support now helps demonstrate that this vision reflects neighborhood priorities.
The conceptual site layout shown reflects proposed uses and will continue to evolve through community input, design development, and partner coordination.
A Community Hub for West Grand
The Stocking Community Hub is a proposal to transform the former Stocking Elementary School into a coordinated, multi-use destination that brings together affordable housing, community services, educational opportunities, and neighborhood gathering space in one location.
Rather than a single-purpose redevelopment, the Hub combines affordable housing, family support services, workforce development, food access initiatives, health and wellness programming, childcare and early childhood supports, and flexible community space designed to strengthen neighborhood stability and improve access to resources.
Through partnerships with local organizations and service providers, the Hub will create a connected network of programs that support residents of all ages while preserving and reactivating an important neighborhood asset.
This approach creates a central, trusted place where organizations, residents, and partners can work together to expand opportunity while preserving the role of Stocking as a long-standing community anchor.
What the Hub Will Include
The proposal focuses on five core areas shaped by community priorities:
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Housing Stability
The Stocking Community Hub includes approximately 17 affordable housing units within the historic school building, creating opportunities for families to remain in the neighborhood while accessing services, employment resources, and community support.
The broader redevelopment vision also identifies areas for potential future housing expansion on the property, subject to community input, design development, financing, and regulatory approvals.
Housing partners and support services will help connect residents to resources that promote long-term stability, economic mobility, and stronger family outcomes.
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Health and Wellness
Providing access to health and wellness programming, including maternal and family health services, emotional wellness supports, wellness education, resource navigation, and community-based services that strengthen quality of life across all stages of life.
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Food Access & Environmental Stewardship
Expanding access to healthy food through community gardens, food distribution efforts, neighborhood partnerships, and food systems programming. Environmental stewardship initiatives will support outdoor learning, green space activation, and community-led opportunities that strengthen neighborhood well-being.
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Workforce & Adult Education
Supporting economic mobility through workforce development, job training, digital skills instruction, career pathway exploration, and adult learning opportunities. In partnership with local organizations, the Hub will help connect residents to training, resources, and opportunities that support long-term success.
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Community Space & Connection
Creating flexible, multi-purpose spaces where residents, organizations, and partners can gather, learn, connect, and collaborate. From neighborhood meetings and community events to workshops, trainings, and shared programming, these spaces will strengthen community connections and support coordinated efforts that expand access to opportunities and resources.
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Childcare & Early Learning
Providing childcare, early childhood programming, and family supports that help strengthen kindergarten readiness, support working families, and expand access to educational and workforce opportunities. By helping reduce barriers to participation, these services can support families accessing workforce development, job training, and other programs offered through the Hub.
The Hub is designed to complement existing schools and services by focusing on community-based programming, adult education, and coordinated partnerships — with additional programs continuing to develop alongside community priorities.
Community Needs
Planning for the Stocking Community Hub is grounded in years of community engagement, neighborhood feedback, and the 2025 West Grand Top 25 Community Needs Assessment.
These findings highlight clear priorities for the neighborhood—including affordable housing, food access, mental health support, childcare and family supports, youth engagement, workforce development, and safe community spaces.
The Hub proposal is designed to directly respond to these needs by bringing services, programs, and partners together in one accessible location.
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Residents identified a need for affordable housing options, housing stability resources, and support to remain in the neighborhood long-term. Rising housing costs and limited availability have made it difficult for many households to maintain stability without additional support.
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Community input highlighted the importance of accessible mental health services, wellness programming, and support for seniors and families, particularly services that are trusted, local, and easy to access.
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Residents identified ongoing challenges with food access and affordability, alongside interest in community gardens, green space, and neighborhood-based food systems that promote long-term health and sustainability.
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There is a strong need for job training, skill development, and adult education opportunities, along with supportive services like childcare and resource navigation that help residents participate in and benefit from workforce opportunities.
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Residents consistently emphasized the need for safe, welcoming spaces to gather, connect, and participate in community life. Priorities included youth programming, family activities, intergenerational engagement, and opportunities that strengthen neighborhood connections, civic engagement, and community safety.
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Community feedback identified childcare access and family support services as important factors in household stability and economic mobility. Residents emphasized the need for affordable childcare, support for working families, and resources that help parents and caregivers thrive.
The Stocking Hub aligns with 88% of these top needs, making it one of the most impactful community investments in years.
These priorities directly inform the design of the Stocking Community Hub, ensuring that proposed programs, services, housing, and community partnerships reflect the needs and voices of the West Grand community.
Program Development and Partnerships
The Stocking Community Hub is designed as a collaborative model where trusted community organizations work together under one roof to expand access to housing, education, workforce development, food systems, wellness services, youth programming, and neighborhood resources.
By bringing partners together in a shared location, residents can more easily connect with the services and opportunities they need while organizations coordinate efforts to maximize community impact.
The Hub is being developed in partnership with a growing network of nonprofit organizations, service providers, and community leaders. Several partners have already committed to participation, while others are actively coordinating program delivery as planning advances.
Together, these partnerships help ensure that programs and services respond directly to the priorities identified through community engagement and the West Grand Neighborhood Top 25 Community Needs Assessment.
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Helping residents connect with services, opportunities, and support systems while strengthening neighborhood leadership, community engagement, and neighborhood stability.
Programs may include resource navigation, case management, family support services, community outreach, leadership development, public safety initiatives, and coordinated access to local resources.
Organizations supporting this work include the West Grand Neighborhood Organization and Steepletown Neighborhood Services.
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Providing safe, supportive opportunities that help children, youth, and families thrive through enrichment, mentorship, recreation, technology education, outdoor learning, and skill-building programs.
Programs may include after-school activities, youth leadership development, digital literacy, family engagement opportunities, environmental education, mentoring programs, and intergenerational activities.
Partners supporting this work include Jump Ahead L3C, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, and New City Kids, which is currently in active coordination.
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Supporting economic mobility through workforce development, job training, digital skills instruction, career pathway exploration, and adult learning opportunities.
Programs may include job readiness training, workforce certifications, financial literacy, entrepreneurship support, technology training, GED preparation, apprenticeship pathways, and career advancement services.
Partners supporting this work include Steepletown Neighborhood Services and Jump Ahead L3C, with additional workforce and educational partnerships continuing to develop.
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Food Access & Environmental StewardshipExpanding access to healthy food through community gardens, food distribution efforts, neighborhood partnerships, and food systems programming.
Environmental stewardship initiatives will support outdoor learning, green space activation, pollinator habitats, community gardening, and community-led opportunities that strengthen neighborhood well-being and sustainability.
Partners supporting this work include Kind Hearts Bloom, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, and the Neighborhood Food Circle Network.
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Supporting housing security and neighborhood stability through affordable housing and services that help residents remain rooted in the community.
The proposal includes approximately 17 affordable residential units integrated into the redevelopment, alongside supportive services and partnerships designed to promote long-term housing stability and community investment.
Housing-related collaboration includes Genesis Non-Profit Housing and Dwelling Place / BLBC, both of which are currently in active coordination.
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Expanding access to health resources that promote physical, emotional, and family well-being for residents of all ages.
Programs may include maternal and infant health services, family wellness supports, wellness education, preventative health initiatives, resource navigation, and community-based health programming.
Partners supporting this work include Cultivating Futures and additional health-focused organizations as programming continues to evolve.
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Supporting young children and families through childcare access, early learning opportunities, and family-centered services that strengthen school readiness and reduce barriers for working families.
Programs may include childcare services, early childhood programming, family engagement activities, school readiness supports, and other services designed to help children and families thrive.
Currently in active discussions regarding childcare and early childhood programming.
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Creating opportunities for older adults to remain connected, active, and engaged through accessible programming, community support, and resource connections.
Programs may include wellness activities, educational opportunities, social engagement programs, volunteer opportunities, resource navigation, and intergenerational programming that strengthen community connections across generations.
Organizations supporting this work include Steepletown Neighborhood Services and additional community partners serving older adults.
The Stocking Community Hub will continue to evolve through community input and partnership development, ensuring that programs and services remain responsive to neighborhood priorities and emerging opportunities.
By combining affordable housing, workforce development, childcare, health services, food access initiatives, youth programming, and community gathering space in one coordinated location, the Hub is designed to strengthen family stability, expand opportunity, and support long-term neighborhood success.
In April 2026, the West Grand Neighborhood Organization and Cella Building Company submitted a comprehensive proposal to Grand Rapids Public Schools to transform the former Stocking Elementary School into the Stocking Community Hub.
The proposal reflects years of community engagement, identified neighborhood priorities, committed partnerships, and a community-driven vision for long-term investment and neighborhood stability.
View the full submission below.
Proposal Submitted to GRPS
Help us make the vision a reality!
275+ documented supporters and growing!
Help us make the vision a reality! 275+ documented supporters and growing!
Support the Stocking Community Hub
The Stocking Community Hub is a community-driven proposal to transform the former Stocking Elementary School into a neighborhood hub that expands access to affordable housing, food access, workforce development, youth programming, health and wellness services, and shared community space.
Community support plays an important role in demonstrating that residents, organizations, and stakeholders believe in this vision and want to see the building continue serving the neighborhood.
To date, community support efforts have resulted in 275 documented supporters and growing, including 176 verified digital petition signatures and 99 in-person signatures collected through direct neighborhood engagement.
Additional letters of support have been provided by residents, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community partners.
Add Your Voice
Join residents, community organizations, local businesses, and supporters who believe Stocking should continue serving the West Grand neighborhood for generations to come.
Community support helps demonstrate broad neighborhood backing for the Stocking Community Hub and will continue to inform conversations with decision-makers throughout the redevelopment process.
Latest Stocking Community Hub Updates
Stay informed with the latest announcements, community engagement opportunities, project milestones, and updates related to the Stocking Community Hub.
Investing in the Future of the Stocking Community Hub
To transform the former Stocking Elementary School into the Stocking Community Hub, we must first secure the resources needed to complete pre-development activities, finalize planning, and prepare for acquisition and redevelopment.
This effort is part of a larger community-led initiative to create a permanent home for affordable housing, workforce development, food access, youth programming, health and wellness services, and community gathering space in West Grand.
The Pre-Development Fund supports the critical early-stage work required to move the project forward, including architectural planning, engineering, environmental review, legal and financial due diligence, fundraising preparation, and community engagement.
Every contribution helps build the foundation for a project designed to serve generations of West Grand residents.
Help transform a historic neighborhood landmark into a lasting community asset for generations to come.
Historic photo of Stocking Elementary School (circa 1926)
Frequently Asked Questions
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Our community wants to see Stocking Elementary still in service to the community. It has been a hub of positive activity for over 100 years as a school and a park. The vision for the hub would continue that tradition by allowing several non-profits and others share space, resources and provide quality programming for our neighbors.
Reimagining the building as a community hub allows West Grand residents to access education, wellness, food, workforce development, and support services while preserving an existing neighborhood landmark.
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Sign the community support petition.
Stay connected for future updates and announcements.
Spread the word by encouraging neighbors, organizations, and businesses to get involved.
Reach out with questions or feedback.
Consider supporting the Pre-Development Fund to help advance planning and redevelopment efforts.
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Planning for the Stocking Community Hub is grounded in years of community engagement, neighborhood feedback, and regional needs assessments. The proposed uses align with documented priorities identified by residents, including youth programming, food access, workforce development, affordable housing, health and wellness services, and community gathering space.
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Safety is a core priority.
Programming partners are experienced organizations with established safety protocols.
Activities are structured, supervised, and scheduled.
Larger events typically include coordination with city departments and public safety staff.
The hub model emphasizes positive presence, community connection, and prevention, which research shows improves neighborhood safety.
The project is designed to increase positive activity throughout the day and evening, creating a well-used community destination that promotes visibility, connection, and neighborhood stewardship.