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Residents urge Mount Clemens to act to reopen Germaine Jackson (K) Community Center; commissioners promise a plan
Summary
Multiple residents and faith leaders urged the Mount Clemens City Commission to take responsibility for the Germaine Jackson (K) Community Center, citing youth and senior needs; commissioners said they are pursuing partnerships and a sustainable plan before the school vacates the building July 1.
Thomas Barnes, a longtime Mount Clemens resident and local youth-program volunteer, urged the commission to stop "passing the buck" and to take responsibility for the Germaine Jackson Community Center, saying the building has sat empty since July 2020 and local children and seniors need the services it once provided.
"It is far gone time for us to pass the buck and kick the can down the road hoping that somebody else will pick it up," Barnes said, recounting programs his group ran at the center, including karate, mentoring and study hall.
Bishop D.L. Bradley framed the debate as one of power and equity, saying the dispute over control of the K Center reflects deeper racial dynamics. "I personally don't think that K[s] is about funding," Bradley said. "I personally think that it is about something else." He urged residents to use their vote to press the issue.
Other speakers, including Pastor Lance Pitman, Teresa McGarity and Jean Dixon, described seniors and children who depend on local services and asked the city to pursue grants and partnerships — suggestions that included contacting federal representatives for potential funding.
City Manager Johnson and several commissioners responded that staff have been meeting with possible partners — including the Boys & Girls Club and the YMCA — and with the school district, which is expected to vacate its lease on the building July 1. Commissioners stressed they do not intend to leave the center closed but said a sustainable funding and operations plan is required before reopening.
Commissioner Forier said the city has acted quickly since receiving notice the school would vacate the site and pledged that the commission and staff will bring a plan to the public at a future meeting. Commissioner Mener and others acknowledged community frustration while noting competing capital needs the commission must balance.
The commission did not take a formal vote on operations at the meeting; instead, commissioners said they will continue talks with the school district and potential partners and present concrete options at an upcoming work session.
