Detroit’s Demolition Vote

After a debate over the legal use of general obligation bonds, the Detroit City Council last week unanimously voted to use $750,000 of debt to demolish the former landmark Ford Auditorium.

The council twice voted against the plan, which is part of Mayor Dave Bing’s plan to rehab the downtown waterfront. 

Council members originally questioned whether the city could legally use bond proceeds to tear down a building without replacing it. But a presentation by the administration persuaded critics that it was legal because it is part of a larger plan.

“It is time to capitalize on all the promise of our riverfront and I applaud City Council for working with us to approve the demolition of Ford Auditorium,” Bing said in a statement.

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