A 148-year-old abandoned schoolhouse in Union Park is being returned to its community. The Greenleaf Center, a nonprofit founded by residents of the north side Des Moines neighborhood, came into control of the former Whittier Elementary School late last year. They now aim to create a community center, complete with gardens, a cafe, food pantry and for-rent office space. An architect is finalizing site plans to submit to the city, and the board of the thegreenleafcenter, composed of residents who live within one mile of the schoolhouse, are refining their plans for what will go into the building. Residents are already turning up in droves for volunteer events, cutting back overgrown vegetation and preparing the community garden beds for next year. Many have memories linked to the two-story schoolhouse, whether it was tumbling at the Boys & Girls Club or taking a crafting class. #DesMoines #Iowa #foodpantry #DSMUSA #OldBuilding #HistoricBuilding