Roughly 200 public schools have closed in Detroit between 2000-2015. These integral neighborhood hubs left many holes in communities when they closed. 

The organization Life Remodeled turned the former Durfee Elementary Middle School building on the west side into the Durfee Innovation Society, providing youth programs, workforce development opportunities and more to people in the Durfee neighborhood. 

The nonprofit is now working on a new opportunity hub on the east side, Anchor Detroit, that will open up in the Denby neighborhood December 2025. WDET’s Jack Filbrandt dodged construction and toured the building with Vice President of Opportunity Hubs Brandi Haggins. 

Hear more stories from The Metro on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025.

Wednesday’s question: Should students use artificial intelligence in schools?

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