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Bankrupt and Shrinking, Detroit Selling 79 Abandoned Schools

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Detroit's bankruptcy is still fresh enough to be a national news mainstay, but the city's public school system has been in the dumps for decades. At 50,000 students, enrollment is roughly a sixth of what it was in the 1960s. It's projected to get even worse. Detroit has shuttered over 100 schools, some secured only with plywood. Now they're up for sale. With asking prices listed simply as "Negotiable," 79 schools across the city are up for grabs right now. Care to see what's out there? You'll need a map.


· Office of Real Estate [DPS]

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Arthur Middle

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Built in 1930, closed in 2005.

Barbour Middle

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Built in 1920 and closed in 2009.

Barsamian Preparatory

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As of this blog post, DPS says there is a pending sale on this one. It opened in 1968 and closed in 2011.

Bellevue Elementary

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Opened in 1963 and closed in 2005.

Berry Elementary

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This school was built in 1961 and closed in 2007.

Bethune K-8

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Built in 1922 and closed in 2010.

Biddle Elementary

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Built in 1963 and closed in 2005.

Birney Elementary

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Opened in 1963 and closed in 2009.

Blackwell Middle

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Opened in 1963 and closed in 2003. The outside looks rather trashed, and we're guessing a decade of being closed means the interior is the same.

Brady Elementary

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This is a typical Collegiate Gothic style building constructed from 1921-23. One corner of the lot has a single-story classroom building from 1961. It closed in 2007.

Burt PK-6

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Built in 1925 and closed in 2010,

Burton PK-8

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Built in 1921 and closed in 2010, this school has a pending offer according to the DPS website. With a North Corktown location, it may have the greatest chance at redevelopment into housing.

Cadillac Middle

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Looks like this 94-year-old school got some serious window covers when it closed in 2007.

Carstens Elementary

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Built in 1915 and closed in 2011.

Chandler PK-5

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This Elementary School, built in 1905, was named for former mayor Zachariah Chandler; it closed in 2004. It is one of the oldest remaining schools left in the district.

Cody 9/ Ruddiman

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Built in 1922 and closed in 2009.

Coffey K-8

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Built in 1925 and closed in 2010.

Cooley High School

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Built in 1927 and closed in 2010.

Coolidge Elementary

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Built in 1925 and closed in 2009.

Courville Elementary

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Built in 1921 with a 1929 addition, this is a two-and-a-half story brick building with two gyms. Opened in 1921 and closed in 2007.

Crockett High School

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Built in 1924 and closed in 2012.

Crosman

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Built in 1911, the school was expanded in 1921 and further renovated in the 80's. It made the demo list in 2009, but still stands.

Crosman

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Built in 1920 and closed in 2010.

Detroit City High

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Built in 1916 and closed 2012.

Dixon K-8

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Built in 1930 and closed in 2010.

Detroit Transition West

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Built in 1926 and closed in 2011.

Douglass Academy

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Opened in 1962 as Knudsen Jr. High School, it was later renamed for activist Fredrick Douglass. It closed in 2007.

Finney High

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Built in 1927 and closed in 2012.

Fisher Magnet/ Burbank

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Built in 1930 and closed in 2009.

Foster Elementary

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Various blogs report that the infamous Detroit Police Department Crime Lab operated inside the former Stephen Foster School (built in 1957) after it closed in 2005.

Fox Elementary

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One of the smallest schools in the district when it was built in 1962, it is just over 6,000 square feet. Closed in 2010.

Garvey K-8

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Built in 1962 and closed in 2009.

Gompers Elementary

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Built in 1954 and closed in 2011.

Grant Elementary

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Built in 1926 and closed in 2007.

Greenfield Park Elementary

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Located in a mostly vacant neighborhood, Greenfield Park Elementary, built in 1916, closed in 2007.

Guyton Elementary

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This school was designed in the English Tudor style and the kindergarten room includes a fireplace. Opened in 1921 and closed in 2009.

Hanneman Elementary

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Charles Hanneman School was built in 1916; it was one of 27 schools closed in 2007. The gym and cafeteria were located in the basement, which is odd for a modern school but typical for construction in that era.

Hanstein PK-5

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Built in 1919 and closed in 2010.

Healy International

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Built in 1949 and closed in 2007.

Higgins Elementary

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Built in 1930 and closed in 2007, word is this place got heavily scrapped.

Holcomb Elementary

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This single-story brick building constructed in 1925 has two interior courtyards. It closed in 2010.

Hosmer Elementary

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George Hosmer Elementary was built in 1921 and expanded in 1924. It closed in 2005.

Houghton Elementary

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Built in 1924 and closed in 2009.

Hubert Elementary

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Hubert Elementary was built in 1921 and closed in 2005.

J. R. King Elementary

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Opened 1930, Closed 2009

Jamieson PK-6

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Opened in 1961 and closed in 2010.

Jemison Academy

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Opened in 1942 and closed in 2012.

Jemison Academy (old)

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Opened in 1924, Closed in 2005

Joyce Elementary

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Opened 1914, Closed 2009.

JROTC Department of Military Science

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Opened: 1973. Closed: 2010.

JTPA Nursing

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Opened: Unknown. Closed: 2003.

Kettering High and West Wing

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This two-story brick building was built in 1965. DPS wants you to know that one selling point is convenient access to I-94. It closed in 2012.

Kosciusko Elementary

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Built in 1955 and named for Tadeusz Kościuszko, a Polish General who fought alongside George Washington, this school closed in 2007.

Larned Elementary

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Opened 1951, closed 2009.

Lodge Elementary

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Open 1950, closed 2009.

Ludington Middle (former)

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Opened 1925, closed 2012.

Lynch Elementary

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John Lynch Elementary was built in 1914. According to Detroit Urbex, it is in very poor condition. The original 1914 building has fared the best, the 1922 addition was heavily damaged in a fire, and the 1974 addition is a gutted hulk.

Macomb Elementary

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Opened in 1928, closed in 2009.

Malcom X Academy

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This is a three-and-a-half story brick building, that unfortunately now sports some fire damage. It opened in 1924 and closed in 2006. UPDATE: This building has since been demolished.

Mark Twain Elementary

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Opened 1961, closed 2009.

Marsh Elementary

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Just another typical 1950's style Detroit school. This one closed in 2005.

Marshall, J Elementary

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Opened in 1955, closed in 2005.

Mason Elementary

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Opened in 1930, closed in 2012

McFarlane PK-5

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Opened in 1925, closed in 2010.

McGregor Elementary

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This typical 50's style of school was named for a Detroit civic leader, Tracy W. McGregor. It opened in 1952 and closed in 2007.

McKinney Day Treatment

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The school was built in 1964 and closed in 2009. From 2003-2007, it housed The Mckinney Day Treatment program.

Monnier Elementary

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Opened in 1923, closed in 2007.

New Middle School @ AFPA East

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Opened in 1948, closed in 2006.

Parker Elementary

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Opened in 1926, closed in 2012.

Parkman Elementary

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Opened in 1940, closed in 2005.

Robeson Early Childhood Center

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Opened in 1914, closed in 2012.

Rose Elementary

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According to Detroit Urbex, Rose is now the oldest standing school in Detroit, dating back to 1897. However the DPS site says built in 1911 and closed in 2007. Discuss.

Sampson Elementary

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Opened 1979, closed 2005.

Sherrill Elementary

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Opened in 1923, closed in 2011.

Stark PK-5

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Opened in 1969, closed in 2009.

Stephens Elementary

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Opened in 1913, closed in 2009.

Southwestern High School

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By the time Southwestern closed in 2012, it had only 583 students and was ranked in the lowest performing 5% of state schools. The school was originally built in 1915.

Tromby Alt HS

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Just across Jefferson from the Berry Sub. Opened in 1905, closed in 2010.

Weatherby Elementary

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Built in 1955 and named for a respected school principal, Weatherby focused on a computer technology based curriculum; it closed in 2005.

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Arthur Middle

Built in 1930, closed in 2005.

Barbour Middle

Built in 1920 and closed in 2009.

Barsamian Preparatory

As of this blog post, DPS says there is a pending sale on this one. It opened in 1968 and closed in 2011.

Bellevue Elementary

Opened in 1963 and closed in 2005.

Berry Elementary

This school was built in 1961 and closed in 2007.

Bethune K-8

Built in 1922 and closed in 2010.

Biddle Elementary

Built in 1963 and closed in 2005.

Birney Elementary

Opened in 1963 and closed in 2009.

Blackwell Middle

Opened in 1963 and closed in 2003. The outside looks rather trashed, and we're guessing a decade of being closed means the interior is the same.

Brady Elementary

This is a typical Collegiate Gothic style building constructed from 1921-23. One corner of the lot has a single-story classroom building from 1961. It closed in 2007.

Burt PK-6

Built in 1925 and closed in 2010,

Burton PK-8

Built in 1921 and closed in 2010, this school has a pending offer according to the DPS website. With a North Corktown location, it may have the greatest chance at redevelopment into housing.

Cadillac Middle

Looks like this 94-year-old school got some serious window covers when it closed in 2007.

Carstens Elementary

Built in 1915 and closed in 2011.

Chandler PK-5

This Elementary School, built in 1905, was named for former mayor Zachariah Chandler; it closed in 2004. It is one of the oldest remaining schools left in the district.

Cody 9/ Ruddiman

Built in 1922 and closed in 2009.

Coffey K-8

Built in 1925 and closed in 2010.

Cooley High School

Built in 1927 and closed in 2010.

Coolidge Elementary

Built in 1925 and closed in 2009.

Courville Elementary

Built in 1921 with a 1929 addition, this is a two-and-a-half story brick building with two gyms. Opened in 1921 and closed in 2007.

Crockett High School

Built in 1924 and closed in 2012.

Crosman

Built in 1911, the school was expanded in 1921 and further renovated in the 80's. It made the demo list in 2009, but still stands.

Crosman

Built in 1920 and closed in 2010.

Detroit City High

Built in 1916 and closed 2012.

Dixon K-8

Built in 1930 and closed in 2010.

Detroit Transition West

Built in 1926 and closed in 2011.

Douglass Academy

Opened in 1962 as Knudsen Jr. High School, it was later renamed for activist Fredrick Douglass. It closed in 2007.

Finney High

Built in 1927 and closed in 2012.

Fisher Magnet/ Burbank

Built in 1930 and closed in 2009.

Foster Elementary

Various blogs report that the infamous Detroit Police Department Crime Lab operated inside the former Stephen Foster School (built in 1957) after it closed in 2005.

Fox Elementary

One of the smallest schools in the district when it was built in 1962, it is just over 6,000 square feet. Closed in 2010.

Garvey K-8

Built in 1962 and closed in 2009.

Gompers Elementary

Built in 1954 and closed in 2011.

Grant Elementary

Built in 1926 and closed in 2007.

Greenfield Park Elementary

Located in a mostly vacant neighborhood, Greenfield Park Elementary, built in 1916, closed in 2007.

Guyton Elementary

This school was designed in the English Tudor style and the kindergarten room includes a fireplace. Opened in 1921 and closed in 2009.

Hanneman Elementary

Charles Hanneman School was built in 1916; it was one of 27 schools closed in 2007. The gym and cafeteria were located in the basement, which is odd for a modern school but typical for construction in that era.

Hanstein PK-5

Built in 1919 and closed in 2010.

Healy International

Built in 1949 and closed in 2007.

Higgins Elementary

Built in 1930 and closed in 2007, word is this place got heavily scrapped.

Holcomb Elementary

This single-story brick building constructed in 1925 has two interior courtyards. It closed in 2010.

Hosmer Elementary

George Hosmer Elementary was built in 1921 and expanded in 1924. It closed in 2005.

Houghton Elementary

Built in 1924 and closed in 2009.

Hubert Elementary

Hubert Elementary was built in 1921 and closed in 2005.

J. R. King Elementary

Opened 1930, Closed 2009

Jamieson PK-6

Opened in 1961 and closed in 2010.

Jemison Academy

Opened in 1942 and closed in 2012.

Jemison Academy (old)

Opened in 1924, Closed in 2005

Joyce Elementary

Opened 1914, Closed 2009.

JROTC Department of Military Science

Opened: 1973. Closed: 2010.

JTPA Nursing

Opened: Unknown. Closed: 2003.

Kettering High and West Wing

This two-story brick building was built in 1965. DPS wants you to know that one selling point is convenient access to I-94. It closed in 2012.

Kosciusko Elementary

Built in 1955 and named for Tadeusz Kościuszko, a Polish General who fought alongside George Washington, this school closed in 2007.

Larned Elementary

Opened 1951, closed 2009.

Lodge Elementary

Open 1950, closed 2009.

Ludington Middle (former)

Opened 1925, closed 2012.

Lynch Elementary

John Lynch Elementary was built in 1914. According to Detroit Urbex, it is in very poor condition. The original 1914 building has fared the best, the 1922 addition was heavily damaged in a fire, and the 1974 addition is a gutted hulk.

Macomb Elementary

Opened in 1928, closed in 2009.

Malcom X Academy

This is a three-and-a-half story brick building, that unfortunately now sports some fire damage. It opened in 1924 and closed in 2006. UPDATE: This building has since been demolished.

Mark Twain Elementary

Opened 1961, closed 2009.

Marsh Elementary

Just another typical 1950's style Detroit school. This one closed in 2005.

Marshall, J Elementary

Opened in 1955, closed in 2005.

Mason Elementary

Opened in 1930, closed in 2012

McFarlane PK-5

Opened in 1925, closed in 2010.

McGregor Elementary

This typical 50's style of school was named for a Detroit civic leader, Tracy W. McGregor. It opened in 1952 and closed in 2007.

McKinney Day Treatment

The school was built in 1964 and closed in 2009. From 2003-2007, it housed The Mckinney Day Treatment program.

Monnier Elementary

Opened in 1923, closed in 2007.

New Middle School @ AFPA East

Opened in 1948, closed in 2006.

Parker Elementary

Opened in 1926, closed in 2012.

Parkman Elementary

Opened in 1940, closed in 2005.

Robeson Early Childhood Center

Opened in 1914, closed in 2012.

Rose Elementary

According to Detroit Urbex, Rose is now the oldest standing school in Detroit, dating back to 1897. However the DPS site says built in 1911 and closed in 2007. Discuss.

Sampson Elementary

Opened 1979, closed 2005.

Sherrill Elementary

Opened in 1923, closed in 2011.

Stark PK-5

Opened in 1969, closed in 2009.

Stephens Elementary

Opened in 1913, closed in 2009.

Southwestern High School

By the time Southwestern closed in 2012, it had only 583 students and was ranked in the lowest performing 5% of state schools. The school was originally built in 1915.

Tromby Alt HS

Just across Jefferson from the Berry Sub. Opened in 1905, closed in 2010.

Weatherby Elementary

Built in 1955 and named for a respected school principal, Weatherby focused on a computer technology based curriculum; it closed in 2005.