MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. – The first step toward revitalizing blighted Muskegon Heights schools took place today with the demolition of the former Glendale school property, the Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority announced.
“Today’s demolition was the result of hard work and great collaboration with the city,” Michigan Land Bank Interim Director Jeff Huntington said. “I look forward to our continued partnership as we work on next steps for the revitalization of this property as well as others in the area.”
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The Michigan Land Bank owns the Glendale school property and has worked closely with local officials on plans to demolish the building and start the redevelopment process. Once demolition is complete, the Michigan Land Bank will continue to work with the city to begin the process of developing up to 20 housing units on the site. 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.
"The City of Muskegon Heights is excited about the opportunity to work with the Michigan Land Bank on an innovative strategy to breathe new life and hope into our community. We look forward to working together as we move to the next phase of redevelopment,” Muskegon Heights Mayor Kim Sims said.
Demolition work will be performed by Melching Inc. and is expected to last four weeks. The ongoing partnership with community leaders will continue as they discuss the redevelopment of other properties in the area.
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. The former Lindbergh School property, owned by the Michigan Land Bank, and the Dr. Martin Luther King School property, owned by Muskegon Heights, are next in line for redevelopment plans. Both parties anticipate the RFP process for these properties to kick off in winter of 2019.
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Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority promotes economic growth in this state through the acquisition, assembly and disposal of public property, including tax reverted property, in a coordinated manner to foster the development of that property, and to promote and support land bank operations at the county and local levels.
