East Lansing City Council has altered its plans to engage the community in discussion regarding the future of Bailey Community Center building.

After the recent announcement that the building would be closing its doors this September, East Lansing residents have been concerned with its future. More than 300 citizens logged on to the virtual town hall forum to discuss what they would like to see done with the building once operations shut down.

Residents were asked to share thoughts online and come forward during the open communication portion of City Council meetings with ideas to use the community center.

After a number of businesses expressed strong interest in purchasing the building from the city, there was a chance that Bailey Community Center would have to sit as an abandoned building for less time than previously expected.

“We were surprised that so many people came forward interested in buying the building,” City Manager George Lahanas said. “This gives us unexpected opportunities to use Bailey within the community.”

At the March 24 City Council work session, a discussion was held regarding the recommended outline process for Bailey Community Center following these offers.

Tim McCaffrey, director of parks and recreation in East Lansing, suggested moving forward with a request for proposal process instead of the previously suggested strategic doing method.

“We will ask citizens that are interested to sit on a review committee,” McCaffrey said of the suggested process. “From there, they will discuss all the proposals we have received for Bailey Community Center and make a recommendation to City Council to move forward with one, some or none of them.”

Before this review committee was formed, a facilitation process would be held to inform citizens of possible options and keep the city updated with the schedule for moving forward with the building.

Cole Academy, a non-profit, independent public school, is just one of a few groups interested in purchasing Bailey Community Center once operations cease.

Brian Shaughnessy, the superintendent of Lansing’s Cole Academy, appeared before City Council during the March 17 meeting to share information about Cole Academy and express an interest in purchasing the property with the intention of opening another school in the East Lansing area within the next two years.

“There is almost a visceral reaction when people hear the words ‘charter school,’” Shaughnessy said. “But I believe we are, by all counts, a great school.”

Other interested parties include the Capital Area Housing Partnership and Gretchen’s House, a private daycare.

The facilitation process to review the possible options could happen as early as May if the City Council is able to find and schedule a facilitator and communicate the opportunity to residents. An updated timeline and schedule will be brought before city council at the April 14 work session.