Community Input Sessions Confirm What West Grand Residents Have Been Saying About Stocking
In January 2026, Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) hosted community input sessions for the future of the former Stocking and Alexander Elementary sites, including two in-person meetings held at Stocking Elementary on January 15, 2026, along with opportunities for online feedback.
GRPS received nearly 300 suggestions for future use from community members through in-person meetings and online engagement. At Stocking, the leading suggestion was for a community hub or center, while feedback for Alexander most frequently pointed to housing opportunities. Across both sites, community input consistently emphasized the importance of affordable housing, green space, community hubs, and youth-focused programming.
What the Community Shared
The feedback from these sessions highlighted several consistent priorities:
Community Hub (Leading Suggestion):
Nearly 40% of respondents specifically called for a shared community space or community center—highlighting the long-standing lack of a dedicated gathering place on the West Side.Affordable Housing:
Residents emphasized the need for affordable housing options, rather than high-end or market-rate development.Green Space Retention:
Community members expressed strong support for preserving the existing outdoor amenities, parks, and green space on the 3.5-acre site.Health and Social Services:
A significant portion of feedback focused on the need for youth programming, food access, and neighborhood-based wellness resources.
Reinforcing Ongoing Community Engagement
These results closely reflect what the West Grand Neighborhood Organization (WGNO) has consistently heard through its own community engagement efforts.
Over the past year, WGNO has actively engaged residents through neighborhood meetings, surveys, direct outreach, and the formation of a dedicated community committee to help guide the future of the Stocking site. This work led to the development of the Vision for the Stocking Community Hub, grounded directly in feedback from neighbors.
Through these efforts, residents have repeatedly emphasized:
Accessible community space
Expanded food access and support services
Workforce development and education opportunities
Programming for youth and families
Long-term neighborhood stability
The GRPS-led sessions reinforce that these priorities are not isolated—they are consistent, community-wide priorities—providing a clear foundation for future planning decisions.
Why This Matters
When multiple engagement efforts point to the same priorities, it creates a clear and consistent direction for the future.
This alignment helps ensure that any plans for the site:
Reflect real neighborhood needs
Build on existing community momentum
Deliver meaningful, long-term impact
Looking Ahead
As conversations continue about the future of the Stocking site, the message from residents is clear.
The community is not only engaged—it is aligned around the need for a space that supports connection, resources, and opportunity.
This level of alignment offers a strong guide for decisions about how the site can best serve the neighborhood moving forward.
Stay Involved
Community voice continues to shape what comes next.
Here’s how you can stay engaged:
Stay informed on updates from GRPS and WGNO
Attend future public meetings
Share your perspective with local leaders
Continue participating in neighborhood conversations
👉 Learn more and stay connected:
https://westgrand.org/stocking-hub