Detroit Schools Announce $32 Million Facility Redevelopment

Proposed redevelopment of Cooley High School into a community athletic campus.

News Summary

The Detroit Public Schools Community District Foundation has revealed plans to redevelop Cooley High School into a community athletic campus and relocate Davis Aerospace Technical High School back to its original site. The initiatives, totaling over $32 million, aim to enhance educational and athletic facilities, providing equitable opportunities for students. With significant investments from state funding and ongoing fundraising efforts, these projects represent a commitment to revitalizing local educational spaces and empowering the community.

Detroit – The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) Foundation has unveiled ambitious plans for the redevelopment of two significant educational facilities, totaling over $32 million. The initiatives include the transformation of Cooley High School into a community-focused athletic campus and the relocation of Davis Aerospace Technical High School back to its original site at Coleman A. Young International Airport.

Cooley High School, which has remained closed since 2010, will receive a $25 million investment to create state-of-the-art athletic facilities. The revitalization project is supported by $22 million in state funding, with additional funds being raised through the DPSCD Foundation. Currently, $15 million has already been allocated through a State of Michigan appropriation, while the foundation is actively seeking an extra $10 million to fully realize its plan. The completion of the Cooley project is anticipated in 2026.

The redevelopment will include a variety of new amenities such as an outdoor football field, a track, modernized parking areas, and green spaces for neighborhood use. In addition, part of the original school building will be preserved to provide locker rooms, a museum space for alumni, and a community meeting hub. The site is expected to serve as the home for Cody High School athletics as well as local youth sports programs, aimed at promoting equitable athletic opportunities for students and community members alike.

In a related initiative, the Davis Aerospace Technical High School will be moving back to its former location at Coleman A. Young International Airport. The new facility is projected to facilitate hands-on training with actual aircraft, effectively doubling its enrollment capacity to approximately 200 students. Funding for the Davis project includes $7 million from the State of Michigan alongside district funds, with completion slated for 2027.

The Cooley High School upgrade will proceed in phases, with the first focused on the architectural design, fencing, lighting, and construction of the football field and track stadium, as well as locker rooms. Future developments may involve constructing additional buildings equipped for basketball, volleyball, and indoor training facilities for multiple sports. The DPSCD aims to honor Cooley’s historic legacy while addressing the need for equitable sports training and competition opportunities for the youth in the community.

Life Remodeled, a nonprofit organization, previously proposed to acquire Cooley High School with a development plan worth $37.5 million that included various nonprofit tenants focused on workforce development and youth programming. However, the DPSCD board rejected the proposal due to concerns regarding binding commitments to ensure community-centered usage and property value-related issues. Since its closure, the Cooley property has faced significant damage and was deemed to have limited value, leading officials to determine that the cost of demolition would exceed any potential benefits.

The announcement of these transformative projects was made during the DPSCD Foundation’s Tyrone E. Winfrey Hall of Fame Alumni Gala, which drew nearly 800 attendees, including alumni and community leaders. Both initiatives are indicative of a broader shift towards reclaiming and investing in local educational spaces, following years of disinvestment in Detroit public schools. The focus on community involvement and empowerment underlines the commitment to enhancing educational and athletic facilities, thereby strengthening the overall fabric of the Detroit community.

These redevelopment efforts not only signal a new era for athletics in the Detroit education system but also embody a commitment to fostering opportunities for students that will positively impact the community for generations to come.