The Detroit-Leland Hotel, a historic building in downtown Detroit, is facing an uncertain future after its owner was unable to pay the electricity bill. The building's tenants are struggling to find affordable housing, and the city is considering selling the property to a new developer.
The owner, Michael Higgins, had been unable to pay the electricity bill, which led to the shut-off of power at the building. However, despite having notice, many tenants claim they never saw posted notices from DTE Energy, the company that owns the utility. The city's buildings department is also under fire for failing to fulfill its obligations in enforcing rent escrow and protecting tenants.
Ara Darakjian's Birmingham-based Tir Equities LLC has been in talks with Higgins' company to buy the building, but any deals are on hold until the bankruptcy case plays out.
Detroiters who have lived at the Leland House for years are concerned about losing their homes. They believe that corporate America is trying to push them out and replace affordable housing with more expensive options.
The city of Detroit has a history of struggling with disinvestment and neglect, but recent efforts to revitalize neighborhoods have brought new challenges. The fate of the Leland House remains uncertain, leaving many residents worried about their future in the city.
Detroiters who have been displaced by gentrification are also concerned that the sale of the building will lead to further displacement. They believe that affordable housing is a fundamental human right and that it should be prioritized over corporate profits.
The story highlights the struggles of Detroit's working-class residents, who face significant challenges in finding affordable housing and dealing with disinvestment and neglect.
In related news, DTE Energy CEO Gerardo Norcia received a 22.5% increase in compensation in 2024, while the company reported $1.4 billion in profits and sent $607 million to shareholders. The contrast between corporate profits and working-class struggles is striking.
The story concludes with concerns about who will get to stay downtown as affordable spaces disappear and what happens to a historic building that has held Detroit's artists, workers, musicians, misfits, and elders for nearly a century.
The owner, Michael Higgins, had been unable to pay the electricity bill, which led to the shut-off of power at the building. However, despite having notice, many tenants claim they never saw posted notices from DTE Energy, the company that owns the utility. The city's buildings department is also under fire for failing to fulfill its obligations in enforcing rent escrow and protecting tenants.
Ara Darakjian's Birmingham-based Tir Equities LLC has been in talks with Higgins' company to buy the building, but any deals are on hold until the bankruptcy case plays out.
Detroiters who have lived at the Leland House for years are concerned about losing their homes. They believe that corporate America is trying to push them out and replace affordable housing with more expensive options.
The city of Detroit has a history of struggling with disinvestment and neglect, but recent efforts to revitalize neighborhoods have brought new challenges. The fate of the Leland House remains uncertain, leaving many residents worried about their future in the city.
Detroiters who have been displaced by gentrification are also concerned that the sale of the building will lead to further displacement. They believe that affordable housing is a fundamental human right and that it should be prioritized over corporate profits.
The story highlights the struggles of Detroit's working-class residents, who face significant challenges in finding affordable housing and dealing with disinvestment and neglect.
In related news, DTE Energy CEO Gerardo Norcia received a 22.5% increase in compensation in 2024, while the company reported $1.4 billion in profits and sent $607 million to shareholders. The contrast between corporate profits and working-class struggles is striking.
The story concludes with concerns about who will get to stay downtown as affordable spaces disappear and what happens to a historic building that has held Detroit's artists, workers, musicians, misfits, and elders for nearly a century.
I'm really concerned about this situation with the Leland Hotel. It seems like the city is just handing over control of another piece of affordable housing to corporate interests without giving tenants a say in what happens next. 
And while DTE Energy's CEO is getting a huge raise, I'd love to see some numbers on how much they're actually contributing to the city's efforts to address gentrification and affordable housing shortages.
. I mean, the owner can't pay electricity bills but the city's buildings department can't even do their job? It's like they're trying to push people out and make way for more expensive options 
.
. It's just not right, you know? The city needs to prioritize its residents over corporate profits 
.
. We need to do better than this 
. Maybe it's time for the city to take a closer look at its policies and find ways to support its residents instead of just going with the flow 
.
It's not just about finding affordable housing, it's about preserving a piece of our community and our history.
. It's time for some real change around here, not just more of the same old corporate handouts 
.
. It's like, I get it, business gotta happen, but at what cost? Those people are just trying to make ends meet, they're not asking for much... Affordable housing is a basic human right, you know? And to see DTE Energy CEO making that kind of cash while the city's struggling with disinvestment and neglect... it's like, really unfair 
. I've seen so many people get pushed out of their homes because of gentrification, it's heartbreaking. The Leland Hotel should be preserved, not turned into some fancy high-rise hotel for rich folks 
. We need to do something about the lack of affordable housing in Detroit, it's ridiculous that we have a city with so much potential being torn apart by corporate greed 
