When Wendy Patton bought the Ehman Center from Lake Orion schools in 2001, it was with the intention of restoring the structure and renting it out for office space.
With a background in real estate, she felt the $100,000 purchase price was reasonable and the building a perfect candidate for historic restoration.
Today, after being unsuccessful in having the property rezoned commercial, and enduring high maintenance and repair costs, she wants to donate the building to a charitable business or organization.
The historic structure at 55 Elizabeth Street once housed Lake Orion’s entire K-12 school population. Built in 1927, the two-story, 35,000-square-foot building has 25 classrooms and a large gymnasium which features the original Dragons logo in the center of the floor.
Patton says the building has recently been used by a Christian school and by the Lake Orion Boys and Girls Club. Now that the Boys and Girls Club is moving to a new location at the end of the month, she feels the time is right to donate the property.
‘My goal was to restore it back to its 1927 condition,? says Patton, who owns a real estate agency. ‘I used to live right across from the Ehman Center and wanted to move my office and other offices into the building.?
That’s when her frustrations began.
‘I couldn’t get the village to rezone it commercial,? she says. ‘I fought with the village for three years and spent more than $150,000 on an architect, site plans, site borings and other fees. I just gave up. I don’t want to deal with that anymore.?
The building is currently zoned for single-family, non-profit schools or educational purposes. Because the structure has been partially renovated, well maintained and has about 50-60 parking spaces, Patton believes it would appeal to education-related entities seeking a place to offer classes or host educational programs.
‘I’m thinking it would be ideal for a charitable business or organization,? she says. ‘It could be used by performing arts groups or non-profits for classes. I just want to get the word out that the building is available.?
Patton says some minor cleanup or renovation may be required to meet the specific needs of an organization, but the building is generally in excellent shape.
The building has a new roof and the boiler system has been maintained and is operating well, she says. And many of the rooms have already been upgraded to accommodate current programs.
The Christian school, which eventually plans to relocate to a site in Romeo, has a six-month lease with Patton. School officials say they are not in a hurry to evacuate the building.
When Patton bought the building, the school district wanted to sell it because it “couldn’t afford the upkeep,? she recalls.
‘I had plans for it, but my situation has changed. Now I just want to be able to do something good with it.
‘I’d like to see this building be cared for and serve the community,? she says. ‘I’d like it to be used by people who can really use the help — for educational purposes or non-profits.?