Demolition Begins On Detroit's Mackenzie High School
DETROIT (WWJ) - Demolition began Thursday on the vacant Mackenzie High School building on Wyoming on Detroit's west side.
"I'm gonna bring tears to my eyes because this was like my second home, you know, away from home," said class of 1992 Mackenzie graduate, Jamar Ferguson, as he watched the 85-year-old building begin to crumble.
"It's kinda said to see it go, but it's been sitting here for so long..." Ferguson said.
Detroit Public Schools Spokesman Steve Wasko said money from voter approved Proposal S is being used to fund the tear down.
"What Mr. Roy Roberts, our emergency manager, wanted to make sure what was done with some additional resources that are still available -- prioritize the list of the absolute worst buildings in our portfolio that have, in many cases, become just a very negative drain on local communities and neighborhoods such as here at Mackenzie," Wasko said.
A new Mackenzie Pre-K through 8th grade will open next to the site of the old high school in the fall.
