Wayne County Community College gets
ready to open new location’s doors this fall

By April Lehmbeck
C & G Staff Writer

HARPER WOODS — People who remember heading over to the Beacon East theater will soon be able to go there for a different type of experience — a learning one.

The former theater site, located on Vernier Road, is currently being renovated by a company that entered into a long-term lease agreement with Wayne County Community College for its new University Square. The college plans to move its east-side base of operations out of the Harper Woods Secondary School down the road from the theater to the new University Square.

“They have gutted the whole inside,” WCCC Vice Chancellor for Administration Michael Dotson said.

The renovations include leveling the floors, getting rid of the theater-style seating, and working on things such as the heating and cooling system.

“From the walls in, they are completely rebuilding everything,” Dotson said.

Dotson said opening the doors for fall classes is what they are shooting for at the new facility.

“They’re going to be ready,” he said.

The new facility will have two technology labs, one for standard computer applications and another that offers high-tech use. There will also be an instructional auditorium for large classes that has an interactive television system for communication throughout the WCCC district.

Besides educational opportunities, this type of setup “offers a lot of professional development training” ability, Dotson said.

Students will have a common area for studying or grabbing a snack from the vending machines. There also will be conference and office space.

The building will be capable of handling the district’s current load with a lot of parking space.

“It’s a very large corner lot there,” Dotson said. “Definitely capable of future expansion as need arises.

“It looked like this was a really good fit,” he said of the theater site.

The college decided to move because it’s east-side enrollment has grown over the years and they always had the thought that they would move into their own facility someday.

There were more than 900 students during the last term and holding classes in the secondary school does come with limitations as far as times that they can hold classes and securing classrooms, Dotson said.

“The enrollment has just grown exponentially,” Dotson said.

“It’s amazing,” he said of that growth. “It’s really just scratching the surface.” 

Although they’re moving out of the secondary school, they are still working with the high school on a dual enrollment for students who want to take courses for college credit while in high school. That will still be held at the secondary school, so students don’t have to leave the building for these classes.

Also, Dotson said the college plans to start offering the dual-enrollment opportunity to Grosse Pointe students in the next year.

Harper Woods Mayor Ken Poynter is pleased with the plans for the new facility.

“I believe that University Square will be a dynamic learning facility for our area,” Harper Woods Mayor Ken Poynter said. “Forming partnerships with other institutions will provide students with many options. 

“For example, it will be possible for a student to get an entire K-16 education within the Harper Woods, Grosse Pointes, northeast Detroit area,” he said. “What a fantastic opportunity for the future.  The city of Harper Woods applauds WCCCD for its educational vision and leadership.”

College officials recently brought their plans to a Grosse Pointe Farms council meeting in July.

“If you have an active program that’s succeeding, you will have strong support from the Grosse Pointes,” Grosse Pointe Farms Council member Doug Roby said, adding that it is “encouraging to hear” about their programs with adult education and high school students.

Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran contributed to this report.
You can reach Staff Writer April Lehmbeck at alehmbeck@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1043.