Lansing's historic Mt. Hope School will briefly open for tours before it's demolished

Update: This story has been updated to reflect Mt. Hope STEAM Magnet School will be open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday to the community.

LANSING − Former Mt. Hope School students will have a chance this week to walk the hallways one last time before the building is demolished next year and a new school is constructed on the site.

The building now known as the Mt. Hope STEAM Magnet School, at 1215 E. Mt. Hope Ave., opened in 1949, but is set to be replaced as part of a $130-million millage proposal voters approved in May. Mt. Hope will be the first of four Lansing School District buildings to be demolished and replaced.

But before the building starts coming down next year, past students, staff and community members can visit the more than 80-year-old building one last time as its doors open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. Superintendent Benjamin Shuldiner and other school district officials are expected to speak during the event.

“We know a lot of people have fond memories of going to school there,” said John McGraw, Lansing School District’s director of communications.

Mt. Hope’s students and staff moved to the former Woodcreek Montessori Academy building at 4000 Woodcreek Lane this year. Woodcreek was emptied after the school merged with Wexford Montessori Academy.

While Mt. Hope demolition will take place next year, according to Lansing School District Director of Operations Kattie White, construction of the new school won't be complete until 2024.

Willow Elementary is the next building set for demolition, followed by Sheridan Road STEM Magnet School and Lewton School.

Officials hope to have all of the schools demolished, rebuilt and opened by 2027, White said.

More than 70% of voters during the May 3 election approved the bond request that will generate $129.7 million. In addition to funding the replacement of the schools, the bond will cover renovations at J.W. Sexton High School and pay for air conditioning in every classroom in the district.

Shuldiner has said that Mt. Hope, like the other schools being rebuilt, is obsolete. He noted the need for significant upgrades and renovations involving such things as a retaining wall, the boiler system, as well as its sewer system, the driveway and water main.

Designs for the future Mt. Hope school are still being created, White said. Community members will have an opportunity to weigh in on the plans for the new school at a future community input session that has not yet been scheduled, she said.

Contact Mark Johnson at majohnson2@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ByMarkJohnson.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: How to tour Lansing's historic Mt. Hope School before it's demolished