Historic Michigan campus near Old Town shows signs of revitalization, seeks tenants

LANSING -- The first phase of an Indianapolis developer's $24.4 million plan to pump life back into one of the city's largest, most historic parcels of idle land is ahead of schedule.

And in about a month, people interested in living on the former Michigan School for the Blind's campus can find out if the first $12 million project, called Walnut Park, suits their needs.

Walnut Park, at Willow and Pine streets, is one of TWG Development's three housing projects aimed to transform the former school's 40-acre campus.

TWG also has plans to redevelop the school's former administration building, known as The Abigail or "Old Main," and the former high school. The entire campus is expected to be redeveloped by the end of 2019.

"We're looking forward to bringing those buildings back to life," said Elizabeth Heintzleman," TWG's development director. "It's been far too long."

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Heintzleman said Monday the company expects to have Walnut Park ready for occupancy by Oct. 1. Starting next month, a management team will accept rental applications at the site.

Walnut Park's address is 645 W. Willow St. The project calls for 64 low income apartments and eight designated by the company as "market rate."

Depending on an applicant’s income, the low income rents for Walnut Park will range from $324 a month for a one-bedroom to $895 a month for a three-bedroom.

The company's market rate rents are $725 for a one-bedroom, $850 for a two-bedroom and $950 for a three-bedroom.

Masonry crews have been at the site for several weeks. The plan is for Walnut Park to blend in with the brick facades of The Abigail and former high school.

"It's important for us to display the history (of the campus) as much as we can," Heintzleman said.

TWG Development will redevelop The Abigail into 42 units of senior housing and create 62 parking spots. The former high school that faces The Abigail will have 18 units of senior housing and 25 parking spots.

Fond memories

Former students and their teachers still have strong emotional ties to the Michigan School for the Blind, which was established in 1880 at what had been the Michigan Female College.

After the school closed in 1994, the city eventually took control of the property.

Former teacher Nancy Rousse, 78, of Bay City, said she's thrilled to see the school's campus re-purposed.

“It’s a historical landmark," Rousse said. "It gave children an opportunity for services that they normally wouldn't have had in their home school districts."

Rousse taught at the school for about two years. She had fond memories of the school's on-campus gymnasium, bowling alley, health center, library and pool.

"It was sort of like a family," Rousse said of the school.

Motown legend Steve Wonder is considered the school's most famous alum.

About three years ago, The Historical Society of Greater Lansing held a walking tour at the campus and was overwhelmed by the response.

At least 50 people who are blind showed up and shared stories about the school's impact on their lives.

Bill Castanier, the historical society's president, said Monday he wishes the stories would've been recorded.

He's excited to see TWG Development keep its promise made more than two years ago.

"All it takes is the restoration of one building to create an atmosphere for the restoration of a whole neighborhood," Castanier said.

Contact Lansing State Journal reporter Eric Lacy at 517-377-1206 or elacy@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @EricLacy.

Walnut Park

For Walnut Park leasing information and more about TWG's overall project, call (317) 264-1833 or visit twgdev.com.