The article discusses the uncertain future of the historic Leland House in Detroit, a building that has been home to artists, workers, musicians, and misfits for nearly a century. The building is facing major repairs and an outstanding bill of $8 million, which has left its remaining residents at risk of being evicted.
DTE Energy, the city's largest utility company, shut off power to the building on January 1 due to non-payment of utilities by the landlord. However, tenants claim they never received a written notice from DTE as required by state law and that they were left without access to electricity or heat for several days.
The city's corporation counsel disputes this, stating that DTE provided a public notice on all entrances and exits of the building, but tenants say they did not see any notices.
Ara Darakjian, the owner of Birmingham-based Tir Equities LLC, is in talks with Higgins' company to buy the Leland House, but plans for the building are on hold until major repairs are completed and the outstanding bills are settled.
The article highlights the struggles faced by Detroiters who have stuck through hard times and are now being priced out of their own city. The author notes that bigger questions remain, such as who gets to stay downtown and what happens to a historic building that held the city's artists, workers, musicians, and misfits for nearly a century.
The article also quotes several tenants, including Stewart, Hill, and Konkel, who express their concerns about the future of the Leland House and its residents. They emphasize the importance of preserving affordable housing in Detroit and ensuring that those who need it most are protected.
Overall, the article is a commentary on the struggles faced by low-income and marginalized communities in Detroit and the challenges they face when trying to hold onto affordable housing and community spaces.
DTE Energy, the city's largest utility company, shut off power to the building on January 1 due to non-payment of utilities by the landlord. However, tenants claim they never received a written notice from DTE as required by state law and that they were left without access to electricity or heat for several days.
The city's corporation counsel disputes this, stating that DTE provided a public notice on all entrances and exits of the building, but tenants say they did not see any notices.
Ara Darakjian, the owner of Birmingham-based Tir Equities LLC, is in talks with Higgins' company to buy the Leland House, but plans for the building are on hold until major repairs are completed and the outstanding bills are settled.
The article highlights the struggles faced by Detroiters who have stuck through hard times and are now being priced out of their own city. The author notes that bigger questions remain, such as who gets to stay downtown and what happens to a historic building that held the city's artists, workers, musicians, and misfits for nearly a century.
The article also quotes several tenants, including Stewart, Hill, and Konkel, who express their concerns about the future of the Leland House and its residents. They emphasize the importance of preserving affordable housing in Detroit and ensuring that those who need it most are protected.
Overall, the article is a commentary on the struggles faced by low-income and marginalized communities in Detroit and the challenges they face when trying to hold onto affordable housing and community spaces.
what's the point of owning a building if you just gonna leave people out in the cold no heat no power all because of some bill 
like who's got that kind of cash right? the city's gotta do something to help these people out, can't just let them get priced outta their own homes 
this is what happens when we don't prioritize affordable housing, it's a disaster waiting to happen 
... what's up with that? ...DTE should've reached out to them somehow, even if they didn't want electricity and heat... they're humans too! 
I just hope some bigwig comes in and saves it, but what about the people who are already struggling to make ends meet? 
! I mean, I get it, $8 million is a lot of cash, but can't we find a way to save this historic building for the people who need it most? 
) about the power being shut off is just crazy! 
. I'm all for innovation and progress, but not at the expense of those who need it most. We gotta find a way to balance progress with preservation and make sure everyone has a safe place to call home 
I'm really skeptical about DTE Energy's claims of providing public notices on all entrances and exits of the building... I mean, how can we be sure that wasn't just a PR stunt? 
And what's up with the lack of transparency from the city's corporation counsel? Shouldn't they have more info on the situation? 
The tenants' stories are heartbreaking, but I need to see some concrete evidence before I believe anything. Can someone please share some sources on this story? 
I mean, what's new in Detroit? Another historic building getting screwed over by those who don't care about the city's history or its people 
. The fact that DTE just shut off power without notice is pretty egregious - like, didn't they know anyone might actually need heat and electricity for a living? 
. I guess that's what happens when you're more concerned about making a profit than preserving community spaces 
. Can't wait to see how this all plays out... 
. And now the tenants are being evicted because of some fancy lawyer talk? Give me a break... this whole thing is just another case of people getting priced out by big corporations. I'm all for preserving affordable housing, but it seems like nobody cares about these guys who have been holding down the fort for so long 
. We need to do better than just letting them get pushed around 
! I mean, $8 million outstanding bill? That's like, totally insane 
.
. What happens when everyone wants to own up the Leland House? Will it just become another upscale loft or office space? 
u feel? like, whats gonna happen to all da history & culture thats stored in dat place?
The situation with Leland House is really concerning, especially for the residents who have been through so much already. It's not just about the $8 million bill or the power shutdown, it's about the fact that these people are being priced out of their own city because they can't afford market-rate housing anymore. 
The city and utility companies need to find a way to work with these residents and the community organizations that support them, instead of just shutting off services without notice.
. And maybe he does have good intentions, even if his company is owned by someone from Birmingham, like, why can't people from anywhere help out? 
And to think the owner is making a profit off the back of these people who have called this building home for so long... it's just shady 
. like, what even is the point of having utilities if u'rea gonna shut 'em off on a whim? and now ppl are stuck in the dark, literally 
️.
. it's like, we should be helpin' each other out here, not kickin' people to the curb just cuz they can't afford the rent 
DTE Energy, though, is like the grumpy uncle of Detroit – always shutting off power and heat when you least expect it! 
But for real, $8 million is a lot of dough to sink into repairs. Maybe we can just get some crowdfunding going or something? I'd totally kick in some cash if someone started a GoFundMe for those tenants... 
And can we talk about how unfair it is that DTE Energy just shuts off power and heat without giving anyone any notice? Like, who's supposed to be prepared for that kind of thing?
my heart goes out to these tenants who are fighting to keep their space, they deserve a chance to stay in the city they love