Transforming a Historic Detroit School into Affordable Housing
Located near Eight Mile and Wyoming roads, the Higginbotham Art Residences project is transforming the historic William E. Higginbotham School into a new residential community.
The approximately $36 million development will preserve and rehabilitate the original school building while adding new construction to the property. Once complete, the development will provide 100 affordable apartment homes, along with community-oriented spaces and amenities.
The historic school served generations of Detroit students and remains an important part of the surrounding neighborhood. Its redevelopment represents an opportunity to preserve a meaningful local landmark while addressing the continued need for quality affordable housing in Detroit.
Jarbou Ronnisch Construction is managing the complex construction process, which brings together historic preservation, adaptive reuse and new multifamily construction on one site.
Supporting the Homeowners Who Already Call the Neighborhood Home
Development can bring new investment and opportunity to a community, but it can also create uncertainty for longtime residents.
Before construction began at Higginbotham Art Residences, URGE Imprint conducted a community engagement process to better understand what nearby residents needed. One concern quickly became clear: homeowners wanted assistance maintaining and repairing the homes they had already invested in.
In response, Roderick Hardamon and URGE Imprint worked with philanthropic, financial and neighborhood partners to establish a home-repair initiative for residents near the project.
Approximately $700,000 has been raised to support improvements to homes in the surrounding community. More than 20 homes have already received repairs, with an additional 20 to 30 homeowners expected to benefit as the program continues. Improvements have included roofing work, gutter repairs, window replacement and other exterior projects that can improve safety, energy efficiency and long-term housing stability.
A $300,000 grant from the Gilbert Family Foundation is helping the program provide exterior repairs for at least 45 homeowners in the Higginbotham and Eight Mile-Wyoming neighborhoods. The program was initiated by URGE Imprint and is being led in partnership with Live6 Alliance.
Helping Longtime Detroit Residents Remain in Their Homes
The home-repair program is about more than improving appearances.
A damaged roof, unsafe porch, aging windows or deteriorating steps can create significant financial and safety challenges for a homeowner. Addressing those issues early can reduce future repair costs and help residents remain safely in their homes.
Program participants may also be connected with housing-stability resources through the Detroit Housing Network, including assistance with Detroit’s Homeowners Property Exemption program. These services can help eligible homeowners manage property-tax burdens and address other challenges that could threaten long-term homeownership.
By combining new affordable housing with investment in existing homes, the Higginbotham initiative demonstrates how neighborhood development can serve both future residents and the people who have supported the community for decades.
A More Complete Approach to Detroit Community Development
The Higginbotham Art Residences project reflects an approach to development that considers the entire neighborhood rather than focusing solely on one property.
The project is:
- Preserving and repurposing a historic Detroit school
- Creating 100 affordable apartment homes
- Adding new multifamily construction
- Providing community-focused spaces and amenities
- Supporting critical repairs for neighboring homeowners
- Helping longtime residents maintain safe and stable housing
This combination of historic preservation, affordable housing and homeowner support offers a meaningful example of equitable community development in Detroit.
Jarbou Ronnisch Construction’s Role at Higginbotham Art Residences
As the construction partner for Higginbotham Art Residences, Jarbou Ronnisch Construction is helping bring together the project’s historic and new-construction components.
Adaptive reuse projects require careful planning and coordination. Existing structures must be evaluated and preserved while modern building systems, accessibility requirements, residential spaces and new construction are incorporated into the completed development.
The original Higginbotham School remains the architectural and historical heart of the property. New residential buildings are rising around it, creating a blend of preserved Detroit history and modern affordable housing.
For Jarbou Ronnisch Construction, the project represents more than the rehabilitation of a vacant building. It is an opportunity to help preserve an important neighborhood landmark while contributing to a development designed to create lasting community value.
Building Stronger Detroit Neighborhoods
The story unfolding at Higginbotham Art Residences shows that the impact of construction does not have to end at the property line.
Through the leadership of Roderick Hardamon and URGE Imprint, support from philanthropic and financial partners, collaboration with neighborhood organizations and the work occurring on the construction site, the development is creating affordable housing while helping existing residents remain part of the neighborhood’s future.
Jarbou Ronnisch Construction is proud to be part of a project that preserves Detroit history, expands access to quality housing and demonstrates what community-centered development can accomplish.
Read the original story from Crain’s Detroit Business to learn more about the Higginbotham Home Repair Program and its impact on northwest Detroit homeowners.
About Jarbou Ronnisch Construction
Jarbou Ronnisch Construction is a Michigan-based commercial construction company providing general contracting, construction management and design-build services. The company works across a range of markets, including multifamily housing, mixed-use development, retail, restaurants, financial institutions, offices, healthcare and historic adaptive reuse.
With a long history of building throughout Detroit and communities across Michigan, Jarbou Ronnisch Construction is committed to delivering high-quality projects, developing trusted partnerships and Building on Solid Ground.