Construction progresses on Gompers pre-K thru 8 school in Brightmoor

A new $20.5 million Gompers pre-K thru 8 school, funded through the Detroit Public Schools' $500.5 million bond construction program, will provide students from three outdated facilities the opportunity to engage in learning in a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Brightmoor.

The new Gompers school, which will earn LEED Silver Certified for environmental design, will be located at the present Harding Elementary School site on Burt Road. "Like the new Clark Park Pre-K to 8 being built on the Southwest side of Detroit, the new Gompers will reflect the different cultural and neighborhood needs while using same basic structural footprint," says Jennifer Mrozowski, Executive Director of the DPS Office of Communications. "This school will use bright, vibrant colors, like blue with orange and red accents, to stimulate creative learning."

The two-level building, designed by URS Corporation and constructed by Brinker Christman, will separate the elementary and middle school wings, and will feature a cafeteria, auditorium, multipurpose rooms, classroom space and specially-designed rooms for studying science and art.

"Not only are we building a new state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Brightmoor, but we are also retaining the successful Gompers program, which has strong parent and community support, and allowing it to expand successfully," Mrozowski says.

Construction began in summer 2010 and is ongoing.

Source: Jennifer Mrozowski, Executive Director, Office of Communications, Detroit Public Schools
Writer: Ashley C. Woods
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