A former library building converted into a police facility was named after Council President Pro Tem James Tate Jr.
Formerly known as the Old Redford Library, it was intended to serve as a township hall before the area was annexed into the city of Detroit. Construction started in 1925 and finished after the annexation as a library.
The long-vacant building in northwest Detroit reopened this year as a new space for police operations and community events. Tate said he hopes to use it as a venue for young artists.
Tate played a major role in preventing the building from being demolished.
It was acquired by the city in 2013 after Detroit declared bankruptcy and was slated to be torn down to create parking for a new Eighth Precinct headquarters built nearby.
Tate said he made “a whole lot of fuss,” and community members helped him convince Mayor Mike Duggan to save the building. It was designated as a historic district in 2014.
“When we started to develop that area it made no sense at all to demolish this building that could be brought into productive use in our community,” Tate said. “I don’t want anybody to think that all we do on council is demolish buildings, because this is a clear example of the case against that sentiment.”
A ribbon cutting was held in August. Tate is working to save other historic buildings in the area.
He submitted memos requesting a hold on demolitions planned for buildings formerly associated with the Redford Printing Co. and Detroit Suburban Newspapers Inc.