UPDATE: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - It has been several years since the Kindercare in Okemos has been up and running.

But new activity may bring this vacant building to life.

"It would be nice to see something at that location," said Gail Oranchak, Principal Planner in Meridian Township.

The Zhara Institute is a non-profit organization that is looking to change the building to become a religious institution for the Islam faith.

The organization is looking to gain a special use permit for the religious institution to reside in a residential district.

Diena Saed explains that a religious institution is only open on special holidays like Ramadan. It is a place where people can gather and reflect.

The project was presented during the Planning Commission during the March 11th meeting.

"The planning commission will have to make their formal approval and that could happen at the next meeting," said Oranchak.

If the approval is made, the Zhara Institute will have to wait a 10 days before anything else can be done. The public can decide to challenge the planning commission's decision within this period.

"I have not heard anything from the Planning Commission or the public that there may be a challenge," said Oranchak.


ORIGINAL STORY: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Watch Meridian Magazine to learn what's next for the former KinderCare in Okemos.