Old Central School in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. PHOTO: Old Central School Facebook Page
Last year we learned that a group of investors was exploring the idea of starting a brewpub restaurant in the Old Central School in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Earlier this week community members met with architects for the project to ask questions and air their concerns about the idea. The idea is still very much in the development process.
It appears that one of the main concerns citizens have is their desire to maintain a good portion of the green space around the Northern Minnesota city’s original school building. At least three different ways of approaching the project would affect varying degrees of grass to add parking and an addition onto the building.
Nevertheless, it’s encouraging to see an Iron Range town (fringe of the Range though it may be) fight to give a cherished old landmark a new lease on life for another century. Though Grand Rapids features the same kind of box store sprawl that ails a lot of small towns, the city’s unique layout has allowed a lot of traffic to remain in its downtown, which the city has endeavored to keep up.
As a former Central School pupil, I have been very conflicted about a brewpub in this historic school. However, the idea of having a restaurant in conjunction has softened my view. If this proposition comes to fruition , and helps the building toward self-sustainability in the future , I can support it .
This beautiful building and the grounds are the heart of Grand Rapids, and must be preserved, IMO .