Shelby Eastern Schools is redeveloping the 90-year-old Union Township School building, a project with the Rural Schools Reimagined bundle. Closed as a school in 1974 and repurposed for administrative and educational use, the building will be revitalized to create valuable community spaces. The project includes transforming the 3,000 sq. ft. gymnasium and stage into the Shelby Eastern Center for Collaboration at the Crossing, a multi-purpose learning lab and event space with updated flooring, lighting, sound, restrooms, HVAC, and a dedicated event entrance. Additionally, a vacated 660 sq. ft. classroom will become the Shelby Eastern Studio for the Arts at the Crossing, providing a creative space for local groups and nonprofits. To further enhance the building’s functionality, the existing 660 sq. ft. kitchen and dining area will be modernized into a multi-purpose support space to accommodate food prep and additional community needs. LEI Blight funds will be utilized for lot development, site excavation, remodel construction, and bidding/construction administration. This transformation will restore pride in the historic building while addressing the need for versatile community spaces in Eastern Shelby County. The project will start on January 2026 and finish December 2026 with a financing date of December 31, 2025.