The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Public Schools, and Head Start for Kent County joined forces to serve a profound need within our community. They partnered with Pure Architects to design a new Early Childhood Center that is seamlessly integrated into the Rapid Central Station, with priority given to employees and users of the city’s bus system. This complementary model eliminates the barrier of transportation and thus reduces cost for families in need of childcare and ECE while enhancing the viability of mass transit in a city where bus ridership is in need of support and funding.

 The completed project includes a gross motor room, two infant rooms, a toddler room, five Pre-K classrooms, a secure ground-level exterior play area, and a secure rooftop exterior play area. Auxiliary spaces include a health room, staff room, two offices, two laundry rooms, and storage spaces and utility rooms. The renovation transformed nearly every component of the facility, including those not visible to the public. Because Central Station didn’t meet code requirements for childcare licensing, all existing structural steel was disassembled, fireproofed, and reassembled to bring it up to the necessary standards. We also removed glazing and replaced it with fire-resistant material and added an elevator for accessibility.