Keego Harbor, a small community in Oakland County, Michigan, has been embroiled in controversy after a local school board voted to demolish the century-old Roosevelt Elementary School. According to FOX 2 Detroit, the West Bloomfield School District's Board of Education decided 4-2 to tear down the structure despite strong opposition from locals and a last-minute saving proposition.

The historic building was approved for demolition following a ceiling collapse in 2022, leading to its closure. However, community efforts to preserve the old school reached a tipping point when an architect expressed interest in converting the classic space into affordable housing. Joe Novitsky, a principal architect at JSN Architecture, was willing to fork out $1.7 million for the building, envisioning apartments within the historical walls, as reported by ClickOnDetroit. Despite this, the board went ahead with its plans to bulldoze history and make way for new developments.

At an emotional school board meeting, Keego Harbor residents came out in force, sporting "Roosevelt for Everybody" shirts and pleading with the board members to reconsider. "There’s no denying that the community cares," resident Kirsten Douglas told ClickOnDetroit. An online petition to save the building garnered over 1,400 signatures, and social media groups dedicated to the cause saw hundreds of members rally for the school's preservation.

In a show of protest, The Concerned Citizens To Save Roosevelt, dressed in hazmat suits, highlighted not just a deep-set resistance to losing a piece of Keego Harbor's heritage but also aired concerns regarding the environmental implications of the demolition. According to Hoodline, the chosen abatement company had a checkered past, complete with three MIOSHA violations. Yet, the school board has remained adamant, pushing back against community and developer interest, citing the need to act in what it believes to be the long-term strategic planning and financial health of the district.

While the wrecking ball looms, two board members voiced their dissent. Deborah J. Evans and Carol Finkelstein voted against demolition, with Evans arguing for fiscal responsibility and exploring alternative solutions to optimize the district's capital assets. Despite these objections, demolition prep is now scheduled to begin.