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Public urges council to preserve Eastern High School’s West Wing and auditorium
Summary
Scores of residents and alumni urged the council to preserve the West Wing and John Young Auditorium at Eastern High School during public comment, proposing adaptive reuse options tied to mental-health services and community benefit.
Dozens of speakers used the March 10 public-comment period to urge the Lansing City Council and U of M Health Sparrow to preserve the West Wing and John Young Auditorium of Eastern High School, now slated for partial demolition.
Why it matters: Speakers argued that retaining the historic West Wing and auditorium would provide community space, reduce waste compared with demolition, and could be repurposed to support mental-health services, workforce housing for medical staff, community events and training.
What speakers said Members of the Coalition to Preserve Eastern High School and Promote Mental Health, alumni and other residents gave detailed proposals and reasons for saving the buildings. Laura McComb Smelter, a coalition member, said the West Wing and auditorium could serve as spaces that integrate community and mental-health services, listing uses from training spaces to affordable housing for hospital staff. "We believe that the community plays a vital role in mental health care," she said, describing the courtyard and auditorium as assets for patient recovery and community engagement. Catherine Lynch, a retired Eastern teacher and coach, detailed how the auditorium’s original fixtures, woodwork and 600-seat capacity could host conferences, performances and hospital workshops.
Multiple commenters framed preservation as both cultural stewardship and practical reuse. Julia McKenzie (Eastern class of 1981) called the auditorium a "regional cultural treasure," urging the council to pursue preservation strategies rather than demolition. Fay Norris asked council members why a proposed building study and historic-district conversation that had been discussed earlier had not advanced, and sought greater transparency on Sparrow’s planning and cost assessments.
Community proposals offered Speakers proposed adaptive reuse ideas including: - Affordable housing for Sparrow staff, traveling nurses and residents; partnership space for Lansing Community College’s nursing program; daycare and administrative space for the medical campus. - A community-facing auditorium for concerts, conferences and hospital education programs; a restored courtyard garden to provide secure outdoor space for patients and visitors. - Rehabilitating historic features to conserve materials and avoid landfill waste.
What the meeting record shows Public comment was emphatic but not a council action point at this meeting; several speakers said preservation would require a formal building study and stronger community involvement with Sparrow and city staff. Mayor Schor and council members earlier in the meeting described ongoing public meetings and planning processes around other neighborhood projects, but no formal council vote on Eastern preservation occurred on March 10.
Ending Speakers asked the council to delay irreversible demolition work until a study and community process evaluate reuse options; coalition members said they will continue outreach and advocacy.
