Situated in southeastern Michigan near Lake St. Clair, the Grosse Pointe Public School System (GPPSS) serves its community through a portfolio of historic facilities that includes seven elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools, and an early childhood center. Many of these buildings have been in use for decades and require ongoing planning to balance preservation with evolving educational and operational needs.
Beginning in 2017, GPPSS engaged Plante Moran Realpoint (PMR) to provide advisory services related to long-term capital planning. As part of this engagement, PMR performed a facilities condition assessment that identified more than one million square feet of building and site needs. This assessment, along with enrollment projections and pre-bond planning analyses, was used to inform the district’s internal evaluation of potential priorities, timing considerations, and funding strategies.
In November 2018, voters approved a bond initiative to support capital improvements across the district’s facilities. Following voter approval, PMR continued to provide owner’s representation and advisory support as the district advanced a multiyear program of improvements across individual buildings. Improvements evaluated and addressed through the program included mechanical and electrical system upgrades, roofing replacements, interior finish updates, lighting improvements, security enhancements, technology infrastructure updates, and environmental abatement work. Construction associated with this phase of improvements reached completion in the summer of 2024.
In 2024, the district advanced additional capital-related funding initiatives, including a voter-approved sinking fund. Planned uses of the sinking fund include building safety and security improvements, technology updates, fire alarm replacements, roofing work, and site improvements such as parking lot replacements.
In 2025, the community again stepped forward and approved a new bond initiative, setting the next chapter of improvements in motion. Planned projects associated with this initiative include mechanical and electrical upgrades, lighting and ceiling replacements, restroom renovations, and improvements to athletic and performing arts facilities. Design activities for these projects are scheduled to begin in early 2026.
Many of the district’s facilities are recognized as historic structures, requiring careful consideration when planning improvements. Through its advisory role, PMR has supported the district’s efforts to evaluate facility needs while maintaining alignment with preservation requirements and long-term operational goals. These ongoing planning and improvement efforts are intended to support safe, functional, and sustainable learning environments for students, staff, and the broader community.
