Before voting publicly on giving $34.5 million to billionaire Tom Gores, council members already assured the Pistons team owner they would get the money – a violation of state law.
Tom Gores also is demanding that he not pay property taxes for the Pistons’ new practice facility, which would rob the city and schools of up about $450,000 a year.
Suggesting the move is a slam dunk is untrue and disrespectful to the democratic process.
Mayor Duggan showed no respect for Detroit taxpayers by announcing the Pistons deal before gathering input during mandatory public hearings to see if residents want to spend the money.
Taxpayers could be on the hook again for another sports arena, and city officials are refusing to discuss it, choosing closed-door meetings instead.
Billionaire Mike Ilitch has duped Detroit taxpayers once again.
The ornate, 15-story Metropolitan Building was at risk of demolition a few years ago.
Paradise Valley was a bustling entertainment and business district for black residents in Detroit from the 1920s to the 1950s until the area was paved over in the name of urban renewal.
Detroit’s Downtown Development Authority is negotiating the sale of the 89-year-old building to a group of developers that wants to build 60 high-end apartments with commercial and retail space on the lower floors.
Still, officials hope they can find a buyer before it’s too late.