Local historical preservationists hope to protect the eye-catching structure, once known as the Mount Clemens Federal Savings and Loan, from demolition. The county is preparing to demolish two adjacent buildings that were bought as part of the $2.8 million deal to make way for a new parking lot. But officials are uncertain about what to do with the bank building.
Some members of the county Board of Commissioners want to sell it for the $875,000 asking price devised by the county's top property assessor. One commissioner wants to put it up for sale on the Internet auction site eBay. Others want to lease the property, keeping it available for future county use.
Members of the Mount Clemens Historical Commission have taken steps to make the building site a state-approved historical district. If that district is designated, the building would be protected from demolition. Any private purchaser could receive taxcredits to offset renovation.
"There is still a movement to make the building a historic district," said Keith Brown, a historical commission member. "We are not giving up." Two redevelopment ideas that have been proposed by businessmen include turning the building into a martini bar or an office for an insurance firm.
County board Chairwoman Nancy White said she hopes to sell the building and get it back on the tax rolls, though she said the county may want to include stipulations in a sale agreement that prevent demolition.
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