Former Luna Pier School Could Become Assisted Living Center

Former Luna Pier School could become Assisted Living Center

BY DANIELLE PORTTEUS
dportteus@monroenews.com

A spot that once was a place for a community’s younger citizens could be home to older residents in the future.

More than a decade after Luna Pier Elementary School closed, Mason Consolidated Schools has sold the prop­erty to a couple who hopes build an assisted living center where the old school stands.

The building would have to be razed because of its con­dition, said Luna Pier Mayor David Davison.

Mason Supt. David Drewyor said the board of education voted 6- 0 Monday night to sell the property at 10701 El­mhurst St. for $75,000 to Har­borside Investments, LLC of Brooklyn, Mich. Trea­surer Chandra Fowler was excused from the meeting.

Denny Latoszewski of Harborside told The Mon­roe News that the plans are to create an assisted living facility for 20 people.

“My wife owns a six ­person facility in Hudson. She also has an in- home care business,” he said. “There are 10,000 people a day who turn 65, so that’s a lot.”

Mayor Davison said Har­borside has not submit­ted a site plan to the city, which would have to go to the zoning board and ulti­mately the city council for approval.

“It has got to be a deal that he makes a commit­ment to tear the school down,” Mayor Davison said.

Mr. Drewyor credited the work of board Secretary Tara Tubbs who “ had a lot to do” with the creating the purchase agreement. Ms. Tubbs works in real estate.

Luna Pier School opened in 1935 and operated for 73 years.

The school was shut­tered at the end of the 2002- 03 school year for budgetary reasons. Stu­dents were consolidated with Mason Central Ele­mentary the next academ­ic year.

Since then, the property has been vacant. In all, 2.977- acres were sold in­cluding the school.

For many years, the school district had been in negotiations with the City of Luna Pier to buy the property. Talks between the district and city began in 2007, according to Mon­roe News archives.

The two parties began discussing the use of the property recently as well.

Mayor Davison said the city considered buying the land to relocate city hall, the police department and the library.

Harborside had come to the district with an idea for the property, but could not make an offer initially, Mr. Drewyor said.

“We had negotiated with the city and agreed on a price then the other company came back,” Mr. Drewyor said.

Mr. Latoszewski said the investment company still is working with the bank before it finalizes plans and submits site plans to the city.

Two years ago, the district sold North El­ementary on Wood Rd. for $105,000 to a private own­er who lived near the prop­erty, Mr. Drewyor said.

“The board voted to put the North money into the capital improvements budget,” the superinten­dent said. “ That money has not been used. My guess is the board might be doing the same with this, but it could go into the general fund since we passed the sinking fund.”