DPS starts building new Brightmoor, Southwest schools, part of $100.4M in construction projects

Construction will begin this month on two new LEED Silver certified PK-8 schools in Detroit. One will be located in Brightmoor on the site of Harding Elementary School on Burt Road, and the other will face Clark Park on Scotten in Southwest Detroit. Both will open in August of 2011.

The total construction cost for the two schools is $41 million. They are being funded by the Propsal S Bond Referendum that passed in November of 2009. The contract to build them was awarded to Detroit-headquartered Brinker Construction in a 50/50 joint venture with Lansing-based Christman Construction. Detroit Public Schools estimates a $19 million in savings for the district by combining both schools into one contract.

Both schools will cost $20.5 million and have separate wings for elementary and middle school students with common areas, like a cafeteria, central administration offices and multi-purpose rooms. 

The Brightmoor school will consolidate and replace three older buildings: Harding — which will be demolished — as well as Vetal and Gompers elementary schools. The Clark Park school will be located at the site of Earhart Middle School, which will be demolished. Students from nearby Maybury Elementary School also will relocate to the new facility.

Proposal S enables DPS to access $500 million in federal money for school capital improvement projects. Seven new schools will be built, 11 will be renovated and the entire district will see technology and security upgrades. All work must be complete by September 2012 to comply with federal guidelines.

Source: Jennifer Mrozowski, Detroit Public Schools Office of Communications
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh