SPARTA, Mich.—  What was once home to Sparta’s Central School will soon be transformed into a new neighborhood.

Rockford-based Sable Homes will break ground on “Central Town Square” at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 2. The development’s name is derived from the former Central School.  The 20-home neighborhood will be located along North Union, between Grove and Alma. 

Construction on Central Town Square is expected to create more than 60 temporary jobs.  Crews will begin by building three new homes immediately.

COURTLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich.--  A Rockford developer plans to build 30 new homes in a Courtland Township development that fell into foreclosure.

Sable Homes President John Bitely joined Courtland Township officials Thursday to cut the ribbon on a new model and housing design center in Stone Crest, located at 9309 Stone View Dr. Sable Homes recently purchased the foreclosed development and began constructing new homes last month. 

As part of Thursday’s ceremony, Sable homes donated $10,000 to the Stone Crest Homeowners Association to help complete a green space project within the neighborhood.

“We’re very thankful that Sable Homes is helping us finish this project,” said Matt Wilson, vice president of the Stone Crest Homeowners Association. “It’s a great contribution in our efforts to promote a healthy environment and a beautiful place to live here in Courtland Township.”

The Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids says the 2013 Spring Parade of Homes is seeing record traffic.

The organization says more than 50,000 people have toured homes so far.  The Spring Parade of Homes runs through June 8.  Remodeled homes will be open for touring June 7 and June 8 from 1 p.m.