Detroit suburb sells city hall for use by artists

Published 9:34 am Wednesday, July 24, 2013

DEARBORN, Mich. — A Detroit suburb is selling its old city hall to a Minnesota-based nonprofit that plans to convert the Georgian Revival-style building into a work space for artists.

Dearborn City Council’s approval of the $1.65 million sale Tuesday to Artspace Projects came despite objections from some residents.

Dearborn last year agreed to buy a building near its main library and police department for $3.2 million to be its new city hall. Some city officials said that the old building was unfit for modern use, but residents who objected called the move a waste of money.

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Dearborn resident Lee Jacobsen said city officials were secretive about the project and said the treasured building shouldn’t be sold.

Mayor Jack O’Reilly Jr. calls the plan a “long-term investment.”