GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Boston Square Together project is working to revitalize the Boston Square neighborhood in southeast Grand Rapids. Construction on the new community hub, known as HUB 07, is nearing completion.
On Tuesday, media representatives, community groups, and Representative Hillary Scholten toured the future Boston Square Early Childhood Center. The center is expected to open in fall 2025 and will serve about 77 children, providing early education for infants and children up to five years old.
Meg Derrer, executive director of the Refugee Education Center (the chosen provider for the center), stated, “We aim to maintain a balanced program enrollment that prioritizes all children who live in the Boston Square neighborhood, including both American-born residents and refugee children.” Currently, nearly half of the children served by the Refugee Education Center live in the Boston Square area.
The inclusion of an early childhood center in HUB 07 follows a 2018 report by Boston Square Together and IFF, which highlighted the need for affordable early childhood education in the area.
Derrer emphasized community involvement, saying, “This center has been co-created with the Boston Square neighbors. They expressed a strong desire for health care and child care.” She noted that residents have clearly stated their needs for this under-invested area, making the center a vital addition to the neighborhood.
Anissa Eddie, project manager for the early childhood center, mentioned that the official name will be decided by local residents. She highlighted that the facility is designed with children in mind, featuring direct restroom access within classrooms and outdoor play areas.
Eddie explained, “We focused on the colors, acoustics, and finishes to create a space for children, with adults adapting to the environment.”
She also stressed the importance of addressing each child’s cultural identity in early education, ensuring that language services cater to the needs of enrolled children. “We will tailor our approach to match the needs of the children, supported by local hiring and existing partnerships with the refugee community,” Eddie added.
Additionally, the HUB 07 will feature the Corewell Center for Health and Wellness, which is set to open in winter 2025.
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