Renovation and construction continues at new home for HFEC

The image shows a rendering of a laboratory area in the new HFEC

A major renovation project by the Dearborn Public Schools on the former SME buildings at the north side of the HFC main campus near the Welcome Center will continue through the summer of 2025. These buildings will become the new home for the Henry Ford Early College (HFEC), currently housed in the basement of the Learning Success Center (Building A on the main campus) and in the Reuther Liberal Arts Building (Building K on the main campus).

“Construction will continue throughout the summer, and the new home for the HFEC will open for classes in late August 2025. Faculty and staff will most likely start in early-to-mid August, a few weeks before classes begin,” said HFC Director of Facilities Reuben Brukley.

Construction for a new bus loop, stormwater work, and other modifications to the parking lot were completed during the summer of 2024. The buses and parking allocations are designated for the new south and southeast parking lots.

“I anticipate that buses, faculty, staff, and students and families will utilize both entrances from the SME Drive and the campus' outer loop,” said Brukley. “Additionally, some traffic, primarily visitors, will be directed to parking along Ford Road.”

Current HFEC schedule will change after new operation begins in August

The anticipated schedule will be:

• 7:40 to 8:05 a.m.: Buses arrive for drop-off.
• 8:00 a.m.: Classes begin for the day.
• 2:30 p.m.: Classes dismissed for the day.
• 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.: Buses arrive for pick-up.

These times are subject to change after the new HFEC operation begins in August. HFEC employees will have designated parking around the bus loop and in the new student and staff parking lot. Other HFEC employees will be assigned to parking in spaces near the building along the north side of the lot.

For HFC employees working in the Welcome Center, the parking will remain unchanged. All deliveries to the HFEC and the Welcome Center will be directed to the loading and receiving areas behind the HFEC buildings.

“Our plans may need to be adjusted once we have the opportunity to observe the traffic patterns,” said Brukley.

New HFEC building will provide additional space

The new HFEC building is the result of a sale between HFC and DPS. In 2023, HFC sold two former SME buildings on the northwest side of the College’s main campus to DPS for $2.1 million to expand its HFEC programs.

HFC had purchased three buildings from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers in 2008. Two of the buildings were renovated and are now the Welcome Center and the Community Rooms. The two buildings that have been sold to DPS will allow the district to enroll more students in the HFEC.

HFC and DPS are both governed by the same Board of Trustees (Board of Education). However, the two entities have separate budgets and operations. The partnership between HFC and DPS provides a seamless connection for dual-enrolled high school students and for HFC students who live in the district and pay in-district tuition.

DPS hired French Associates, an architecture firm in Rochester, to evaluate the buildings and develop remodeling plans to expand programs. Both buildings, each about 30,000 square feet, required substantial renovation to become state-of-the-art educational facilities that meet current requirements, including accessibility compliance.

Formed in 2007, HFEC is a partnership between HFC, DPS, and the Henry Ford Health System in coordination with the Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) and the Michigan Board of Education. HFEC is a 5-year program in which students can simultaneously complete high school, earn college credits leading to an associate degree, and receive certification in an allied health profession.

“The move to the new building is a significant step for the Early College program,” said HFEC Principal Dr. Winifred Green. “It will provide students with enhanced learning opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities including modern classrooms, laboratories, and collaborative spaces. This will create an optimal learning environment for students.”