Hamtramck board hears detailed construction update; bathrooms, windows and HVAC work nearing start of school
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Facilities staff reported progress on multiple summer projects including high school bathroom renovations, window replacements, HVAC start‑ups and elevator inspections; some work depends on DTE power and final inspections.
Facility leaders told the Hamtramck School District Board that summer construction projects across multiple buildings are largely on track for the start of school but a few items remain contingent on outside steps.
At the high school, crews have renovated four 4‑gang toilet rooms and begun finishing work; staff reported they expect those spaces to be ready before the Sept. 2 school start date. Facilities staff said some single‑occupant restrooms will not be complete by the first day but that unfinished work is in non‑instructional or behind‑the‑scenes areas that will not affect daily safety or operations.
Window replacements were reported largely complete for classrooms; a small set of mechanical‑space windows remain and are expected to be finished in the coming weeks after materials are obtained. Facilities staff said one original contractor went bankrupt and the district used bonding resources to secure a new contractor to finish the work.
Dickinson East remains under phased work and requires DTE power to energize recent equipment upgrades. Facilities staff said, "DTE is supposed to be energizing all of that tomorrow and Friday," and noted factory technicians are scheduled to perform start‑up procedures once power is available.
Staff also briefed the board on elevator inspections (state elevator inspection and state fire marshal on the 27th), kitchen drain and HVAC projects, asbestos abatement completed where required, and bleacher orders for the community center with a 16–18 week lead time. Work at some sites will continue into next year; staff emphasized cleaning, safety checks and staged start‑ups to limit disruption to classrooms.
What’s next: Facilities staff invited board members to tour affected buildings and agreed to provide timing for site visits. The board asked staff to confirm which classroom areas will be available to teachers for preparation days and to provide an updated schedule if vendor or utility delays require changes.