The Leland House, a historic hotel in Detroit, is facing an uncertain future after its owner, Ara Darakjian of Tir Equities LLC, has been trying to buy the building. The building's residents are worried about their homes being demolished or sold to developers who would drive up rent prices.
The city's utility company, DTE Energy, shut off power to the building due to unpaid bills, leaving tenants without heat and electricity during the winter months. The tenants claim they received no notice of the shutdown and that the city's building department failed to fulfill its obligations under a rent-escrow account law.
Detroit's mayor, Mike Duggan, has not publicly weighed in on the situation, but has received campaign donations from DTE executives and their political action committee. The company's CEO, Gerardo Norcia, earned $12.6 million in compensation last year, which is 22.5% more than the previous year.
The Leland House was once a sanctuary for Detroit's artists, workers, musicians, and misfits. It has survived fires, bankruptcies, and decades of neglect. However, its residents and City Club are now facing an uncertain future as they try to figure out what will happen to their homes and community.
Some of the people who have been affected by the situation include:
* Stewart, a resident who has lived in the building for 16 years
* Hill, a tenant who has been in the building for over 30 years
* Lamb, a tenant who is struggling to make ends meet
* Matthew Erard, an attorney who has represented tenants at the Leland House
The situation highlights the struggles faced by Detroit's most vulnerable residents, including low-income families and long-time residents. It also raises questions about the city's policies towards affordable housing and its role in addressing the needs of its most disadvantaged communities.
In a statement to Metro Times, Conrad Mallett, Detroit Corporation Counsel, disputed claims that the city did anything wrong, stating that the ordinance was designed to provide a solution to a single issue - a landlord collecting rent but not paying utility bills. However, this does not address the complex issues of building conditions and unpaid bills that have led to the shutdown.
The future of the Leland House remains uncertain, and its residents are waiting for answers from their city leaders and the owner of the building.
The city's utility company, DTE Energy, shut off power to the building due to unpaid bills, leaving tenants without heat and electricity during the winter months. The tenants claim they received no notice of the shutdown and that the city's building department failed to fulfill its obligations under a rent-escrow account law.
Detroit's mayor, Mike Duggan, has not publicly weighed in on the situation, but has received campaign donations from DTE executives and their political action committee. The company's CEO, Gerardo Norcia, earned $12.6 million in compensation last year, which is 22.5% more than the previous year.
The Leland House was once a sanctuary for Detroit's artists, workers, musicians, and misfits. It has survived fires, bankruptcies, and decades of neglect. However, its residents and City Club are now facing an uncertain future as they try to figure out what will happen to their homes and community.
Some of the people who have been affected by the situation include:
* Stewart, a resident who has lived in the building for 16 years
* Hill, a tenant who has been in the building for over 30 years
* Lamb, a tenant who is struggling to make ends meet
* Matthew Erard, an attorney who has represented tenants at the Leland House
The situation highlights the struggles faced by Detroit's most vulnerable residents, including low-income families and long-time residents. It also raises questions about the city's policies towards affordable housing and its role in addressing the needs of its most disadvantaged communities.
In a statement to Metro Times, Conrad Mallett, Detroit Corporation Counsel, disputed claims that the city did anything wrong, stating that the ordinance was designed to provide a solution to a single issue - a landlord collecting rent but not paying utility bills. However, this does not address the complex issues of building conditions and unpaid bills that have led to the shutdown.
The future of the Leland House remains uncertain, and its residents are waiting for answers from their city leaders and the owner of the building.
. And what's up with Mike Duggan not saying anything about this? I'm sure he's just trying to avoid a controversy, but at the same time, he should be advocating for his constituents who are being affected by this.
. Come on, Detroit! Get it together 
They should've negotiated with the owner, Ara Darakjian, instead of shutting off their power and heat. Like, what's next? Evicting them and selling the building for a profit? 
I feel so bad for people like Stewart who have been living there for 16 years. It's like they're being treated like tenants in a hostel or something. 
. As someone who has donated to his campaign, it's pretty clear that there's some sort of conflict of interest going on here. I don't think it's unreasonable for the tenants to expect their city leaders to stand up for them, especially when it comes to issues like affordable housing and basic human rights.
. I'm also worried about the building conditions and lack of maintenance – if it's not safe for the tenants now, what's going to happen when it gets torn down?
. The Leland House has a rich history and a community that needs support, not just talk.
we need some real leadership around here 