Neighborhood protested plan to convert building into drug treatment facility
By Jim Harger
The Grand Rapids Press
WALKER, Mich. (AP) - An abandoned elementary school on the outskirts of a gritty industrial district has become the new headquarters for Feyen Zylstra, a growing electrical contractor that was looking for a new home in a tightening market for industrial space.
The 34-year-old company moved its 80-person headquarters' staff into the former Fairview Elementary School this fall, unifying its executive offices, warehouse and design staff in a common space that reflects its mission.
"This relocation gave us a chance to do good for the west Michigan community, the Hillside neighborhood, and Feyen Zylstra," CEO Nate Koetje told The Grand Rapids Press. "Everyone wins."
The company's new headquarters was welcomed by neighborhood residents, who had protested an earlier plan to convert the building into a Salvation Army drug and alcohol treatment facility.
The old school, which was closed by Kenowa Hills in 2010, was purchased by Feyen Zylstra along with 10 acres for $475,000. Koetje said they then spent more than $3 million to convert the building into a modern work space.
Prior to the move, Feyen Zylstra had been spread across three locations in the greater Grand Rapids area. Founded by Marlin Feyen and Robert Zylstra in 1980, the company has grown to have annual sales of more than $55 million, with satellite offices in Traverse City and Nashville, Tenn.
Koetje said they stumbled across the vacant elementary school during an exhaustive two-year search for new space. Feyen Zylstra moved quickly to buy the building after the Salvation Army abandoned its plans in the face of neighborhood protests.
With the help of Progressive AE, the new offices were designed to take advantage of the old school building's space while adapting the classrooms, office and gym to Feyen Zylstra's high-tech work environment.
While the 44,000-square-foot building was not remodeled to meet LEED certification, the remodeling project still focused on the LEED objectives of reusing materials and improved energy efficiency, Koetje said.
The maple flooring on the basketball court was used to make work tables, old bleachers were used as wall coverings and the library was converted into a training center. Old classrooms were opened up to create office spaces with glass-walled work stations.
Reflecting the company's high-tech expertise, LED light fixtures are used throughout the building. Some of the LED fixtures were designed and built in-house, Koetje said.
The company removed most of the building's smaller classroom windows in favor of large glass walls aimed at brightening the work space. The old school entrance was expanded into a two-story atrium lobby.
The gymnasium, which retained its basketball hoops, was converted into a warehouse. An additional wing was added onto the gymnasium to expand the warehouse space.
Most of the floors are finished with a "workboot friendly" epoxy coating to remind everyone of the company's core mission in the construction business, said Koetje, who has been CEO for the past three years.
"You don't see a lot of carpet," Koetje said. "We are a blue-collar company and we embrace that. We work smart and we work hard.
While it would have been easier to erect a new building in an industrial park outside the city, repurposing a building located within a neighborhood community was important to the company, Koetje said.
"Business plays a key role in the development of great communities. We saw this project as one very tangible way we could continue Feyen Zylstra's history of community involvement," Koetje said.
"We are looking forward to seeing how this new space with its open, collaborative spaces will contribute to our success in providing innovative electrical solutions to our clients."
Published: Tue, Nov 18, 2014
