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Main building at Dominican Center in Grand Rapids to be converted to low-income housing for seniors

Posted at 10:09 AM, Jul 20, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-20 10:09:55-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids, a fixture in Grand Rapids for over 100 years, will transfer ownership of the building that has been their motherhouse to a developer, with the aim of converting it into housing for low-income seniors, the order announced Monday.

Ownership of the motherhouse at the Dominican Center at Marywood will be transferred to Third Coast Development and the PK Development Group (3CPK) for the conversion, but a release from the order notes that sisters will continue to live in other portions of the campus.

The building, at 2025 Fulton Street E in Grand Rapids is the focal point of the Marywood campus, which includes Aquinata Hall, an assisted living facility for aging sisters and a former health center, both of which will remain the property of the sisters.

The motherhouse itself is home of the Dominican Chapel/Marywood and other conference facilities. Plans for the chapel and conference space are fluid, but the Sisters’ press release indicates there is a likelihood functions performed on those spaces will be moved to other locations on the campus.

“We cannot predict at this point what our ministries will look like but we look forward to all the new ways they will continue,” said Prioress Sandra Delgado.

Construction is not expected to begin for another 18 months.