There’s renewed interest in Huss School in Three Rivers.

*culture is not optional, an educational organization that Rob and Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma helped found, has made what is described as “a contingent offer” for the Huss School property at Broadway and Eighth streets.

Huss School

In an e-mail to “Three Rivers friends,” Kirstin reported on the efforts in which she and her husband have been involved in recent weeks regarding what is termed the Imagining Space project.  She said, “This decision has been the culmination of years of brainstorming, discernment, intuition, creativity, work and delight, both as a couple and with our board of directors and network of supporters.”

Vander Giessen-Reitsma explained that, “Ideas for the building include an off-campus program for college students, living space for community volunteers, conferences and workshops on all sorts of topics, and more.  Huss School certainly has enough space to encompass many possibilities and we’re holding things very open at the moment.  You can learn more about the project by exploring the web site we set up:  http://www.cultureisnotoptional.com/space.”

Vander Giessen-Reitsma asked her readers to “consider contributing to the campaign if you’re able.”  She said, “Your ideas, feedback and questions are welcome.”  And, she concluded, “We realize this is a huge undertaking that will represent a lifetime of work and commitment for us and many others, but we’re eager to see where this adventure will go.”

Rob and Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma currently live in Grand Rapids and work at Calvin College, but they plan to move back to Three Rivers in a year.

Regarding their connection to Three Rivers, Kirstin said, “We helped open World Fare downtown five-and-a-half years ago and are very much looking forward to moving back and continuing to serve the local community with our passions.”

In action on April 21st, the Three Rivers City Commission agreed to move forward with an application to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) for a Neighborhood Stabilization Grant.  Among the projects identified for inclusion in the grant application were the purchase and demolition of Huss School and construction by Allen Edwin Homes of four new homes with one-car garages on the school property.