Demolition of the historic Napoleon J. LaVoie Field House, located on the former Flint Central High School and Whittier Classical Academy campus, will begin on Monday, July 13. The removal of the field house marks the first structure to be taken down as part of Flint Community Schools’ comprehensive campus redevelopment project.
This site preparation kicks off a massive campus transformation aimed at opening a vibrant, innovative learning ecosystem for the start of the 2028–29 school year. The new facility will represent the first brand-new high school built in Flint in more than half a century, providing Flint children and families with world-class academic spaces, advanced career technology, and sustainable green environments designed to support generations of future leaders.
Details:
What: Demolition of the Napoleon J. LaVoie Field House
When: Monday, July 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Former Flint Central Campus (Crapo Street, near the Flint Cultural Center)
Named in honor of Napoleon J. LaVoie, the legendary Flint Central athletic director and coach who led the Indians football team to multiple state titles, the field house has been a cornerstone of Flint’s storied sports history for decades.
"The Napoleon J. LaVoie Field House holds a deeply special place in the hearts of Flint Central alumni, athletes, and the entire community," said Superintendent Kevelin Jones. "While it is difficult to say goodbye to a structure that holds so many legendary memories, this step is essential to building a safe, modern, and innovative environment that honors our past while uplifting tomorrow's leaders."
Following the removal of the field house, crews will work sequentially over the next several months to clear the site's remaining vacant structures, taking the next major tactical steps toward constructing a historic, state-of-the-art high school campus.
“I’m excited. I am so excited about this," said Carma Lewis, President of Flint Neighborhoods United. "I’m excited for myself, for the students, the parents, the teachers, the community. We are coming back. This is just step one because we all know that we need schools in our neighborhoods in order to build up the quality of life that we need.”
Safety Note for the Public: A secure perimeter has been established around the site. Members of the community and media who wish to view the demolition are required to remain in designated public viewing areas outside the construction fence for their safety. Heavy machinery and dust mitigation protocols will be fully active.
For continuous updates on the project, please visit the Flint Community Schools website at https://www.flintschools.org/page/new-high-school. For media inquiries or community questions, please contact Kimberly Willis, District Communication Specialist, at kwillis@flintschools.org.