© 2026 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Groups To Redevelop Nearly Century-Old Detroit School

Courtesy photo
/
Michigan Municipal League

Plans are moving forward to redevelop a nearly century-old Detroit school building into a space for local entrepreneurs, startup businesses and area residents seeking workforce training.

INDUSTRY Detroit is slated to open in 2020 in the Jefferson Intermediate School along the Lodge Freeway, just north of downtown.

The school was built in 1922 and has more than 100,000 square feet (9,290 square meters) of space. It is expected to be repurposed to include rentable workspaces and a place for community-run programs that provide hands-on training in hospitality, culinary arts and restaurant operations.

INDUSTRY which helps transform underutilized and historic buildings into modern, multi-tenant office spaces with the additions of food and beverage concepts and urban living centers is partnering with Invest Detroit and Midtown Detroit Inc. on the project.

WKAR has closed the gap left by the loss of federal funding. Because of you, trusted journalism, inspiring stories, and classical music remain freely available to everyone in mid-Michigan.
Now the work continues — your monthly gift helps maintain this success and keeps public media free for all.