In 2020, the City of Detroit conducted a one-year study of vacant school buildings in collaboration with Interboro Partners, WJE, and BJH Advisors. In all 39 school buildings owned by the City were assessed along with 24 other buildings owned by DPSCD. The project was dubbed, “After School Detroit” not to be confused with actual after-school programming for children:

“The team observed the condition of the buildings inside and out, and took photos, measurements, and notes to document each space. The team also studied the characteristics of the surrounding neighborhoods, the local real estate market, and the historical significance of each school. The goal of the project was to explore the possibility of reusing historic vacant school buildings and to imagine new futures for these special places.”