From Abandoned to Essential: How Walter French Academy Found New Life
Some buildings sit empty for so long that people forget what they were ever meant to be. That was the story of the Walter French Academy in Lansing, Michigan — a once-loved school left cold, dark, and slowly crumbling. In this episode of Tangible Remnants, Nakita Reed shares how a team of architects, community leaders, and nonprofit partners stepped into the abandoned halls and saw something different: possibility. What began as a donation of a deteriorating property soon turned into a bold, hope-filled vision to transform the school into affordable housing, community spaces, and a revived neighborhood anchor.
Through interviews with Quinn Evans architects and the Capital Area Housing Partnership, the episode highlights the grit it took to work through fire damage, water intrusion, rising construction costs, and a funding stack with more than 12 different sources. Yet what shines through most is the heart behind the project — a belief that the building, and the community around it, were worth fighting for. Today, Walter French stands as a restored, light-filled space serving families, nonprofits, and local residents, proving that adaptive reuse can breathe life not just into old buildings, but into entire communities.
3 Key Takeaways From This Episode
1. Vision matters — especially when conditions look impossible.
The team saw past the darkness, damage, and decay and focused on what the building could be.
2. Community partnerships make transformation sustainable.
Local support, nonprofit involvement, and shared goals kept the project moving even during major challenges.
3. Adaptive reuse creates impact far beyond the building itself.
Walter French now provides affordable housing, community services, and renewed pride for former students and neighbors alike.
Continue the Story
🎧 Listen to the full episode of Tangible Remnants to hear the behind-the-scenes moments that brought Walter French back to life.
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