Flint — Flint students are getting their first new high school in half a century.
School, community, and elected officials gathered Wednesday outside the former Flint Central High School to celebrate and break ground on a Flint Community Schools High School, which is expected to open in the fall 2028.
The building will rise on the Central-Whittier campus, where the two former school buildings are scheduled for demolition this summer. Abatement on the buildings begins this month.
School officials say the new high school will be $135 million a state-of-the-art learning environment for students.
“It’s been a long time coming, but we know a change is here,” said Flint superintendent Kevelin Jones to the 150 people gathered under and around a tent at the site.
The Flint-based Mott Foundation is contributing $100 million to the project and the Michigan Department of Education has given the district another $35.9 million toward the school and to upgrade other buildings.
“The commitment of $100 million has made what many thought was impossible become a reality today, because of your belief in Flint,” Jones said. “Future generations of scholars will learn, will grow, and thrive in a world-class educational environment.”
Ridgway White, president and CEO of the Mott Foundation, said his family’s foundation marked 100 years Friday and he could not think of a better way to celebrate than this investment.
“This is why we exist to work in partnership with the Flint community to work in partnership with communities around the world to make good things happen, and my great-grandfather would think that this project is rooted in his core belief that what we care most about is kids,” White said.
A final design for the building for 1,000 students is expected by December.
School officials said key historical elements of Central High School will be preserved, including bricks that will be added to the infrastructure of the new high school. The cupola also will be saved.
The original main entrance will be integrated into the new school design and the entire campus will be demolished except for the tower, according to the school’s webpage.
jchambers@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Flint breaks ground on first new high school in half a century
Reporting by Jennifer Chambers, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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By Jennifer Chambers, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
