The empty former St. Andrew Elementary School and the long-vacant Eerdman's Publishing building could soon be rubble, a next step toward completing the vision of building an attractive gateway to both the
Grand Rapids Catholic Diocese's new Cathedral Square and to a proposed new entrance to
Saint Mary's Health Care.
The diocese, which owns the school building (corner of Sheldon and Maple SE), and Saint Mary's, owner of the publishing building (corner of Maple and Jefferson SE), have submitted joint plans to the Grand Rapids Planning Commission to level both buildings. This would create an unobstructed view across several acres of land stretching along Jefferson and Maple streets between Saint Mary's Hospital (200 Jefferson St. SE) and the Cathedral of St. Andrew (265 Sheldon SE).
The proposed result is a lighted, pedestrian-friendly plaza along Maple St. SE, incorporating pedestrian and automobile access to and from points in-between. The project, the Maple Street Improvement Plan, wraps up construction of the diocese's $22 million
Cathedral Square development. In addition, Saint Mary's will develop the west side of Jefferson directly in front of the hospital.
"Our front parking lot will be reconstructed and will include a sculptural centerpiece and more green space, but leaving room for parking on either side," says Micki Benz, Saint Mary's VP of public relations. "It will lead right into the new boulevard on the west side (of Jefferson). Saint Mary's had this in our master campus plan we presented to the city in 2006; this is the second phase of implementation.The first phase was completing the
Hauenstein Center."
Benz says the project has generated some interest from physicians and developers that could result in a mixed-use development on the west side of Jefferson, but that is several years off.
A news release dated Feb. 6, 2011 states that the planning commission will review the plans in March. No demolition or construction dates have been set.
Source: Micki Benz, Saint Mary's Health Care; Diocese of Grand Rapids
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
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