$10 million renovation of Breithaupt tech school in Detroit completed

A $10 million renovation of Breithaupt Career Technical Center on Detroit’s west side has been completed.

The project was announced nearly two years ago and is part of an effort to recharge the career and technical education training of the Detroit Public Schools Community District.

Project completion was celebrated Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Mayor Mike Duggan, Superintendent Nikolai Vitti and other dignitaries and sponsors, according to a city news release.

Funding of the improvements was led by Quicken Loans Inc. and Bedrock LLC, which donated $1 million, as well as the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, DTE Foundation, Lear Corp., Penske Corp., General Motors Co., Ford Motor Corp., metro Detroit Ford dealers and the Ballmer Group, the release said.

Breithaupt, which opened in 1981, suffered declining enrollment and disinvestment that fizzled out many of its programs in recent years. Following the makeover, the vocational school offers students training in culinary arts, retail and hospitality, as well as automotive service and collision repair, mechatronics and welding. Adult training on evenings and weekends was also added.

Improvements include capital investment in infrastructure, renovated classrooms and common spaces, new equipment, boosted marketing and an updated curriculum.