Detroit Public Schools will host a one-day workshop in collaboration
with
Preservation Wayne and developer Joel Landy with a focus on the reuse of closed school buildings. The session is entitled Reuse 101:
Old School Buildings, New Uses - A Purchase and Development Workshop.
The seminar will be held on November 17 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the St.
Regis Hotel.
The agenda will explore potential uses for shuttered DPS school
buildings along with development details such as tax credits, codes and
infrastructure and tips to help prospective buyers work through every
stage of a project.
Reuse 101 is part of an strategy to ensure former Detroit Public Schools
buildings are sold or leased to generate additional revenue -- and
hopefully, benefit the neighboring community by being put into
productive use. "We want to find ways to reuse (closed schools) rather
than have them be eyesores and then be demolished," says DPS
spokesperson Jennifer Mrozowski. "We'd much rather have them reused and
transformed into something viable."
In the past year, Detroit Public Schools has generated more than $4
million over from the sale of 11 vacant school properties. The district
is leasing 38 properties, generating more than $1.4 million annually,
and has four more leases and five additional sales pending. There are a
total of 94 buildings across the city that are on the market; the list
and details of each property can be viewed via the
DPS Office of Real Estate's website.
Landy, who has redeveloped four former school buildings, is bully on the
prospects of other investors and developers partnering with the
district. "DPS is willing to work a deal to save another building," he
says. He encourages anyone interested to start by doing some research.
"Investigate, then go look at the buildings, then dream of uses -- or,
if you have a use, put it into action!"
The workshop costs $25, which includes continental breakfast and lunch. Reservations are required; call 313-577-7674 or email
[email protected].
Read more about Landy's latest school project
here.
Sources: Joel Landy,
Cass Avenue Development and Jennifer Mrozowski, DPS
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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