KEY POINTS
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The Grand Rapids Planning Commission approved Commonwealth Development Corporation of America’s plan to redevelop the vacant Stocking Elementary School site into 48 affordable apartments.
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Low-income housing tax credits are expected to provide 70% to 80% of the project’s financing; construction cannot begin without the award.
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The adaptive-reuse project could preserve the historic school and gymnasium, with construction tentatively targeted for late 2027 or early 2028.
Grand Rapids officials have approved a roughly $19 million redevelopment that would transform the former Stocking Elementary School into an affordable housing community, advancing an adaptive-reuse project on the city’s west side.
The Grand Rapids Planning Commission unanimously approved Commonwealth Development Corporation of America’s special land use and site plan requests Thursday, according to Mlive.com.
The Wisconsin-based developer plans to renovate the vacant school at 863 Seventh St. NW and construct two new apartment buildings, creating 48 apartments across the roughly 3.5-acre property.
The project remains contingent on financing. Commonwealth plans to apply by Oct. 1 for federal low-income housing tax credits administered by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The credits are expected to cover approximately 70% to 80% of the development’s financing, making the upcoming award decision a critical construction milestone.
Historic School to Anchor Affordable Housing Development
Stocking Elementary closed in June 2024 after serving Grand Rapids students for 100 years. The school’s closure was part of Grand Rapids Public Schools’ multiyear effort to restructure programs and address declining enrollment, facility conditions and deferred maintenance needs.
The district later approved selling the property to Commonwealth for $1 million.
An image of the exterior of Stocking Elementary School in Grand Rapids, MI. Grand Rapids officials have approved a roughly $19 million redevelopment that would transform the former school into an affordable housing community, advancing an adaptive-reuse project on the city’s west side. Image: Grand Rapids Public Schools
The redevelopment plan would preserve the former school building and repurpose it as the central residential structure. The renovated building would contain 24 apartments, a community room, a fitness room and a leasing office. Its historic gymnasium would also be preserved for community use.
Adaptive reuse projects have seen signifigant growth, according to Adaptive Reuse Surge: Office-to-Residential Projects Nearly Quadruple Since 2022. The article notes that, "Office-to-residential conversions make up 47 percent of all future adaptive reuse projects planned in the U.S. and 12 of the top 20 metropolitan areas account for the majority of projects planned."
Commonwealth has previously developed two affordable housing projects on Grand Rapids’ West Side: Lexington School Apartments and Edge Flats on Seward. The Stocking project would extend that adaptive-reuse approach to another former school property.
New Construction Would Add 24 Apartments
Two new two-story buildings would be built to complement the renovated school. A building facing Fremont Avenue would contain 14 apartments, while a second building facing Jennette Avenue would contain 10 apartments.
Across the three buildings, the redeveloped Stocking Elementary School mix would include:
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19 one-bedroom apartments
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19 two-bedroom apartments
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10 three-bedroom apartments
The development would reserve 12 apartments for households earning up to 30% of area median income, 13 apartments for households earning up to 40% of area median income, and 23 apartments for households earning up to 70% of area median income. The units would remain income-restricted for 45 years.
Tax Credits Will Determine Construction Schedule
Commonwealth development associate Sam Warshauer said the tax credits are essential to moving forward. If the project does not receive an award in the upcoming funding round, the developer would not proceed in 2026 and could reapply during MSHDA’s April round.
Commonwealth expects to learn in late January or early February whether its October application is successful. If awarded, the developer would spend much of 2027 securing investment partners and assembling the remaining financing package.
Construction could begin in late 2027 or early 2028, although the schedule remains tentative. A June 2026 MLive report said Commonwealth’s purchase and redevelopment proposal was selected for the Stocking site following a review of competing reuse plans.
Neighborhood Requests Focus on Green Space
The West Grand Neighborhood Organization supported adding housing but raised concerns about the amount of outdoor recreation space that would remain after construction. The organization also objected to the proposal’s lack of a preserved outdoor basketball court, noting that the nearest alternative public court is at Richmond Park.
The developer’s proposal was amended to set aside approximately three-quarters of an acre to 1 acre for potential neighborhood use, including community gardens, picnic areas and a dog park, according to the June MLive report.
Planning Commission Adds Site Conditions
Commissioners approved the project with conditions intended to improve its compatibility with the surrounding residential neighborhood, including:
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Commonwealth must modify private entrances and porches facing the street so they more closely resemble nearby residential entrances.
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Landscaping to reduce the visual impact of the new buildings and screening for rooftop mechanical equipment on the former school.
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Construction activity would be limited to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
If the project secures the necessary tax credits and financing, the Stocking School Apartments development would combine historic preservation, new multifamily construction and long-term income-restricted housing on a former public-school site.
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