Haggerty School Renovation Plans Move Forward

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Plans are underway to renovate the former Haggerty School in Belleville, Michigan into a bus garage and warehouse facility. The school district received grants to purchase a dozen electric buses, which will be housed and charged at the new garage. The existing warehouse on Sumpter Road will also be relocated to the Haggerty School site. While details are still being finalized, it's expected the former elementary school building will be demolished to make way for a new, modern facility.

Why it matters

The renovation of Haggerty School is an important infrastructure project for the local school district, allowing them to centralize bus operations and storage. However, the heavy electric buses may cause damage to the rural roads in the surrounding area, raising concerns about the long-term impact on the region's transportation network.

The details

The school district received voter approval for a bond measure last fall to fund the Haggerty School renovation. The project will convert the former elementary school into a bus garage capable of housing and charging the district's new fleet of about a dozen electric buses obtained through grants. The existing warehouse facility on Sumpter Road will also be relocated to the Haggerty School site. While it's not yet confirmed, the old school building is expected to be demolished and replaced with a new, purpose-built structure.

• The school bond proposal was approved by voters last fall.
• The Haggerty School renovation plans are now starting to move forward.

What’s next

The school district will need to finalize the renovation plans and determine whether the existing Haggerty School building will be demolished or repurposed. They will also need to address concerns about the impact of the heavy electric buses on the surrounding rural road network.