Berl. Schwartz
Dear readers,
University of Michigan Health-Sparrow informed me today that there will be no further meetings with the group of alumni, east side residents and historic preservationists trying to save the old Eastern High School from demolition.
The decision came in an email from UM Sparrow spokesman John Foren, in which he accused members of the Committee to Preserve Historic Eastern and Promote Mental Health of not acting in good faith.
The Committee regrets that UM-Sparrow has taken this position. However, we are prepared to resume discussions at any time.
UM-Sparrow has proposed demolishing Old Eastern, a community landmark, to make room for a mental health hospital. Our committee welcomes and supports UM-Sparrow’s desire to improve mental health care in our community while also seeking to preserve Old Eastern, an architectural and historical landmark. We remain hopeful that we will resume discussions on all options.
Unfortunately, but unfairly, Foren’s letter places all the blame for UM-Sparrow’s unilateral decision to cancel the discussions on our committee. Here is what he said:
“We wanted to let you know that we feel some of your actions and those of other group leaders were not in good faith as we discuss a mental health facility on our extended campus. For this reason, we do not agree to conduct a future meeting with the group.
“While we approached our interactions with the group in good faith and with the best intentions, we believe that some of the public comments and actions (quoting a recording of the meeting, etc.) were hostile in nature and ran counter to the spirit of cooperation we sought to build.
“We remain committed to working with the community on this project. In particular, we hope that together we can develop ideas on how to preserve Eastern’s historic heritage.”
“Thank you very much.”
Foren objected to my quoting the meeting to correct the false impression in a Lansing State Journal article about our group’s position on a proposed tour of the East.
The Journal reported that Foren said our committee agreed to a tour just for our committee members, who met with UM-Sparrow leaders to discuss conservation.
That is simply not true—in fact, we did not ask for ourselves to be on the tour, but for a preservationist to be on the tour. To correct the report and the unfair impression that Journal readers have had of our committee, I have published this exchange between Joan Nelson and Margaret Dimond, President of UM-Sparrow, that took place at our meeting with UM officials:
Nelson: “So Margaret, if your architectural team or your design people can walk around your campus and look at the whole range of buildings that you’re planning to build, would it be helpful if they looked at Eastern High School, if someone from historic preservation who is familiar with the school went with them and showed them the aspects that have the greatest historical or aesthetic value? Just to help them?”
Dimond: “No, I think it’s a great idea. I can’t speak for them, but we can bring it to their attention tomorrow.”
How Foren could have come to that conclusion is beyond me. As for whether I was “hostile” when I refuted his position, if he had not publicly misrepresented our committee’s decision, there would have been no reason to publicly correct the matter.
Foren expressed UM-Sparrow’s desire to “work with the community” and “collectively develop ideas to preserve Eastern’s historic heritage.”
First, the best way to preserve Eastern’s “historic heritage” is to preserve Eastern itself.
As for “working with the community,” Jim Lynch, president of the Eastern High School Alumni Association and committee member, said it best:
“I find it interesting that they don’t want to meet with us again, but want to work with the community to preserve Eastern’s heritage,” Lynch said. “Aren’t we the community?”
This is us, except me:
1st District Council Member Ryan Kost
Jim Lynch, President of the Eastern High School Alumni Association
Kittie Lynch, a retired teacher at Eastern
Joan Nelson, retired founding director of the Allen Neighborhood Center
Joe Enerson, Nelson’s successor as executive director of the ANC
Preservation Lansing President Mary Toshach
Dale Schrader, former president of Preservation Lansing
Eastside Neighborhood Organization President Nancy Mahlow
Bill Castanier, president of the Greater Lansing Historical Society.
Jennie Grau, President of Grau Interpersonal Communication
Rebecca Stimson, former student of Eastern University and retired
Andrew Muylle, a graduate of Eastern University.
You will be hearing a lot more from us soon as we continue to pursue our goal of preserving historic Eastern High School, hopefully in partnership with UM-Sparrow.
(Berl Schwartz is editor and publisher of City Pulse)
