Local youth advocacy group purchasing Harrison Center

The Port Huron Board of Education unanimously approved selling the former Harrison Center to SONS Outreach during a meeting Monday night.

SONS, which stands for Save Our Neighborhoods and Streets, has put an offer on the building for $500,000 through Kramer Realty. The organization will use the building as a home base for its programs. Additionally, SONS will allow the school district to rent out rooms in the building for its robotics clubs and adult education programs.

“This is a significant part in SONS history and we’re looking forward to our next steps,” said Tyrone Burrell, CEO of SONS.

The Harrison Center is located at 55 15th St. in Port Huron.

SONS has not closed on the building yet. Tony Essian, SONS campaign chair, said the organization has some funding set aside for the building committee, and they will be fundraising as well. However, the total funds needed are not yet known.

“Once contingencies regarding inspections on the building are satisfied, SONS will be able to figure out the cost of the Harrison Center accurately,” he said.

SONS will need to figure out the total cost of building operations, administration, possible building updates and three years of running the building before officially closing. Essian said he is grateful the school district is considering SONS for the building.

SONS is a youth advocacy group that is committed to the education, socialization and success of children in St. Clair County. Current plans for the building is to use it for expanding the group’s trades and vocation programs and elementary school outreach.

Jeff Kaczperski, SONS' board chair, said it feels good to have a potential home base for SONS.

“This will make our programming more efficient,” he said. “We’re all very excited.”

The Harrison Center is not the first site for SONS. In 2015, an anonymous donor gifted the organization property at 3001 Electric Ave. for a building that would have a gymnasium, classrooms and office spaces. Port Huron’s planning commission approved the site in July 2020. However, building was put on pause that same year.

“We were ready to break ground in 2020, but the cost of building materials and labor went sky high,” Burrell said. “When we started to do programs at the Harrison, and when it went on sale, we decided to go that route instead.”

SONS now uses the site at Electric Avenue for its flag football league. Additionally, SONS will potentially start using it for other things such as soccer and outdoor community activities.

SONS also has an office space in the community center at 2015 Nern St. The organization held its meetings there for many years. Once it is completely moved into the Harrison Center, SONS will have its regular meetings there instead.

“It’s mind-blowing,” Burrell said. “We can’t wait to continue the legacy with SONS.”

Burrell said he wants to give thanks to SONS' volunteers, its current students, alumni, stakeholders, donors, and everyone who has shown support.

Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com or (810) 292-0122.