Cedar Springs board votes to demolish Hilltop building, retain the land and approves $813,000 demolition contract

The Cedar Springs Public Schools Board of Education voted April 23 to demolish the long-vacant Hilltop building and retain the underlying land, approving a demolition contract not to exceed $813,000.

The vote followed a lengthy facilities update in which the district’s facilities presenter summarized the building’s condition: the heating system failed in January 2026 and is not repairable, interior water leaks have led to the water being shut off, loose exterior brick and structural concerns prompted multiple evacuations of parts of the building, and the district has spent roughly $125,000 on temporary repairs over the past two years. The presenter said bringing the building up to code and usable condition would require extensive mechanical, plumbing and electrical work as well as asbestos abatement.

The board was presented four options: leave the building as-is while exploring future uses, undertake a renovation paid for with a bond, demolish the building and retain the land for future district use, or sell/donate the property. The presenter cited two cost benchmarks: a baseline “bare minimum” renovation estimate of about $17,000,000 and outside engineering projections in the $22 million to $25 million range. The district’s reserves were reported at approximately $11,000,000.

Board discussion emphasized safety risks, uncertain grant availability for older-building rehab, and past voter responses to bond proposals. A board member who moved the measure said the district should “retain the land” (option 3) to preserve future flexibility; after discussion and an acknowledged second, the board voted unanimously to proceed with demolition and retention of the parcel.

After approving the demolition decision, the board considered a single bid and staff recommendation for contract award. The board approved a motion to award a demolition contract not to exceed $813,000 to the recommended principal contractor named in the packet (contractor name in the transcript is unclear). The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote recorded by roll call.

The district staff said the recommended bid includes allowances for removal of unsuitable soils encountered during demolition and that bidders attempted to preserve existing trees and regrade the site to create a green slope using excavated material where feasible. Board members asked staff to consider documenting and photographing the building for local historical groups before work begins.

Next steps outlined by staff include finalizing contract paperwork, confirming site-protection measures during demolition, and scheduling demolition work contingent on procurement completion and permitting. The board did not set an exact demolition start date at the meeting.

The board also discussed community funding realities: past bond and millage questions in the Cedar Springs area have failed more often than they have passed, and staff said a major renovation would likely require a costly bond measure and voter support that the district has not reliably received in prior years.