Detroit — Is the Masonic Temple, the largest building of its kind, on the verge of comeback?
Officials of the landmark institution in the Cass Corridor says it has settled the financial troubles that put the temple in danger earlier this year of being sold at tax auction. DTE Energy had threatened to shut off the power because of a $300,000 overdue bill. Both issues have been resolved, including a payment plan announced Tuesday with the utility company.
A DTE spokeswoman confirmed the payment plan, which should avert further drama. Neither side said how much is still owed.
“We are now back on track in a number of ways,” said Bradley Dizik, special adviser to Masonic Temple’s trustees. “We are going to make a profit.”
Also on Tuesday, Pontiac-based producer The Crofoot Presents was named as the Masonic’s lead promoter, and vowed to dramatically increase the number of shows at the venue. A few years ago, the number of shows at Masonic had dwindled to just four in 12 months.
The Crofoot Presents has been working on a temporary basis with the Masonic since May.
“We want to be cutting-edge in the acts we get there, and innovative in how we use the incredible venue,” said Dan McGowan of The Crofoot Presents.
Cutting edge acts can range from alternative hip-hop and indie rock acts to legendary crooner Engelbert Humperdinck, who performs at the Masonic Nov. 6.
The 14-story Gothic structure has 1,037 rooms and multiple theater and entertainment venues. That provides plenty of opportunities for events such as exclusive dinners and after-show parties, McGowan said.
Masonic’s largest theater can seat about 4,400. It once was a routine a stop of touring Broadway shows, concerts and Detroit visits of the New York City Opera. The Masonic aims to once again book plays and opera productions, Dizik said.
If things go as planned, it will be a dramatic comeback for the Masonic after a near-death experience.
In April, The Detroit News was first to report that the facility owed Wayne County $142,000 in back taxes. It faced a June 3 deadline to pay the bill or else the property would be headed for this month’s annual county auction of foreclosed properties. Bidding would have started at $160,000.
Detroit-born rocker Jack White came to the rescue. Out of the blue, he stepped forward and paid the bill.
The building takes up most of the 500 block of Temple Boulevard. It was dedicated in 1926.
With its two ballrooms, office space, cafeteria, dining rooms, barber shop and 16 bowling lanes, it is rented out for everything from high school graduations to weddings and corporate events.
Some of the financial problems can be traced to troubles with its former management company, which resulted in an ongoing legal dispute. The Masonic Temple Association, which owns the Masonic Temple, booted the management company, Halberd Holdings, out of the facility last year. The association claims, among other things, that Halberd was ruining the temple’s reputation by not paying its bills and hiring felons.
Halberd has filed a countersuit, making its own claims of breach of contract. Halberd also claims it has an ownership stake in the Masonic.
In an earlier interview, Jason Abel, the attorney representing the Masonic Temple Association, dismissed Halberd’s claims as “bogus.”
“Their claims are egregious and without merit,” Abel said at the time.
