Using a repurposed abandoned warehouse (Gleaners Community Food Bank) as its location for an innovative redevelopment conference, the Detroit Public School (DPS) System invited developers, investors, brokers, visionaries and others interested in repurposing and redeveloping over 110 buildings and sites formerly used by the school system. In its continuing efforts to resize, reshape and revise its mission for present and future school children, the formerly antiquated school system is invoking 21st century principles and actions moving forward. Clearly, the DPS appears to be headed in the right direction. The conference, held on Thursday March 13th was a sellout, indicating the growing momentum and interest for redevelopment opportunities in Detroit.
The morning began with a networking session and introduction of the days’ events by Tammy Deane, DPS Real Estate Manager. Some of the more prominent buildings and sites were featured in Ms. Deanes’ presentation. Following Ms. Deane was a financing panel presentation, information of the School Building Adaptive Reuse Ordinance and additional information and insight from the Michigan State Housing and Development Authority (MSHDA). Welcoming remarks during lunch were provided by Gleaners’ President, Gerald F. Brisson. The keynote speaker Dan Kinkead, Director of Projects for Detroit Future City, spoke of the vision for our city from that offices’ perspective. The afternoon session was a primer on possible uses for school buildings and property here in Detroit and across the country, including: community centers, hotels, non-profit centers, art schools, music schools and other uses. DPS Emergency Manager Jack Martin provided additional comments on how the school system’s plan is beginning to take shape.
The Mayor, realizing the importance of this conference, provided an update to the audience on the various actions his office has already initiated to remove roadblocks and impediments to fast track more robust development of DPS properties and other sites. The Mayor spoke of a number of initiatives to fight blight and spur redevelopment, dating back to past successes as Wayne County Prosecutor. The Mayor cited the most useful initiative was attacking blighted houses through nuisance lawsuits, providing owners with a choice to remove violations or risk loss of the property to the county.
That same program is being brought back, but with a twist. Now, instead of attacking just one blighted house at a time, the Mayor envisions attacking all blighted houses on a block at once. This new program could “jump start” the momentum towards removing our city’s pervasive blight issue. Other planned initiatives include consolidating over 85,000 properties into one land bank, making economic development the one stop shop for redeveloping properties from start to finish and otherwise supporting developers, including assisting with assemblage of additional land surrounding school property if part of a thoughtful redevelopment plan.
The Detroit Public School System has undergone tremendous transformation in the past few years. They are on the forefront of energy efficiency and sustainable practices, counting 4 LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver schools and 2 LEED Gold High Schools with a 3rd in the works. Their concentration on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) programs and 21st century learning is noteworthy. Of particular note is the Kettering Urban Agricultural Project, whose mission is to develop a community based educational environment, secure sites for salad green hoop houses, develop in-ground planting areas and initiate building renovations for food processing, aqua/hydroponics and office space, all with students having a central role in the program’s implementation and ultimate success. Certainly, the present path of sizing down while improving the delivery and quality of education is the key towards a better future.
While just a few short years ago the Detroit Public School System appeared broken and a lost cause, quite the opposite is true today. Through conferences as the one held on March 13th, opportunity is knocking for those who know how to seize the moment. Many thanks go out to all those who planned the days’ events, including the important sponsors: ASTI Environmental, COLORS-Detroit, Detroit Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Gleaners Community Food Bank, Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and Plante Moran. Once again, Detroiters are edging closer to having one of the most progressive and reputable school systems in the country. Can’t Wait !
ROBERT E. MATTLER, Associate Broker, Attorney and LEED AP BD+C, is Director of Green Brokerage at Armada Real Estate Services in West Bloomfield, Michigan. He speaks, writes and reports about emerging green real estate and development issues in Michigan and elsewhere. Bob is a senior correspondent for www.greeningdetroit.com For more information, contact Bob at Armada Real Estate (248) 855-1221; or by e-mail: bmattler@armadarealestate.com