In 2009, Detroit Public Schools (DPS) became the beneficiary of a $500.5 million, voter-approved federal bond package. With the money, DPS invested in updating its facilities, bringing students and their communities together, and putting Detroiters to work. The district enlisted the services of the Walbridge Joint Venture program management team, made up of Brailsford & Dunlavey, Fanning Howey and Walbridge.
Optimizing the Opportunities
In 2009, Detroit Public Schools (DPS) became the beneficiary of a $500.5 million, voter-approved federal bond package. With the money, DPS invested in updating its facilities, bringing students and their communities together, and putting Detroiters to work. The district enlisted the services of the Walbridge Joint Venture program management team, made up of Brailsford & Dunlavey, Fanning Howey and Walbridge.
Below is a list of the new and renovated schools:
- Amelia Earhart PreK-8 School – new construction
- Beckham Academy – major renovation
- Bunche PreK-8 School – major renovation
- Denby High School – major renovation
- East English Village Preparatory Academy (EEVPA) – new construction
- Henry Ford High School – major renovation
- Mackenzie PreK-8 – new construction
- Mumford High School – new construction
- Munger PreK-8 School – new construction
- Marcus Garvey Academy – building addition and renovation
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School – new construction
- Samuel Gompers PreK-8 School – new construction
- Western International High School – major renovation
- The WJV also oversaw the renovation of John R. King Academy and Bethune-Fitzgerald Academy.
Seven of the new or renovated schools were constructed to achieve at least LEED® Silver certification through the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program
A Sense of Community
The WJV engaged the Greater Detroit Building Trade Council to assist in structuring a project labor agreement that reflected the district’s intent to create career and learning opportunities with its construction program. To carry out that agreement, the joint venture team instituted an “Inclusion Program,” which required the use of Detroit-headquartered design-builders and subcontractors, as well as Detroit residents for trade labor. The team also initiated internship programs for DPS students.