Page 26 - LRCC March 2022 FOCUS

#LOVELANSING FOCUS MAGAZINE | MARCH 2022

Redevelopment of Malcolm X’s Former Elementary School

to Create New Commercial, Residential Space

erguson Development has been working diligently development in Southwest Lansing, said Lansing
with residents, stakeholders, and city leadership on Mayor Andy Schor. “This new development at the
Fa proposed new construction plan to redevelop the Pleasant Grove school will be the newest part of the
vacant property at the intersection of Pleasant Grove and incredible investments and growth in the Pleasant
West Holmes Road in Southwest Lansing. This project Grove and Holmes neighborhood of focus. My economic
serves as an anchor to stimulate both community and development team and I worked hard on this project with
economic redevelopment in this area and beyond. It is the developers, and this investment will reduce blight in
their intention to uphold the legacy and vision of social and Southwest Lansing, while also providing housing and jobs
economic equality inspired by Malcolm X, who attended the for existing and new residents to Lansing.” l
former Pleasant Grove Elementary School as a child.

The objective is to revitalize a crucial and historically
underserved neighborhood within Lansing.

Collaboration from residents, business owners, and
other grassroots stakeholders have helped identify
socio-economic and health services desired most by the
community, creating a central hub for local programming
to reach those who need it most.

“This is where I lived when I first got married,” said Joel
Ferguson, principal at Ferguson Development, LLC. “I
really believe we can make a statement in this community
and get people to realize that this project is more than
just a redevelopment of an abandoned school, it is about
creating an environment that will attract new residents,
new business, and new investment in Southwest Lansing.”

The redevelopment plan comprises the construction of
two buildings. Building 1 will be a two-story commercial
building with an estimated 27,445 rentable square feet
of finished office/financial/institutional/medical space.
Building 2 will be a two-story multi-family building with
an estimated 19,380 rentable square feet of 30 residential
apartments. The start of construction, beginning with
demolition, is anticipated to begin by summer 2022 with
an estimated completion of summer 2024.

“Development throughout our city is crucial, and my
administration has prioritized corridor and neighborhood

26