| The Friends of the Murphy House is a subsidiary of the Friends of Historic Preservation, Mount Clemens and is in the application phase of becoming a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our organization was formed by dedicated community volunteers who are committed to the preservation and utilization of the Murphy House [School Administration Building] in Mount Clemens, Michigan. |
| Frequently asked questions |
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Will demolishing the building save the school district money?
Demolishing the Murphy House will cost the school district more money then compared to utilizing it.
If the school board were to demolish the building, they would have to pay to get the building
abatement for asbestos and pay a demolishing company to demolish the building and remove the
debris. These additional costs would come out of the insurance settlement from the fire, which the
district plans to use to in order to pay down their budget deficit. If the school board would sell the
building to another entity, they would save tax dollars by avoiding the cost of demolishing the building
and receive the proceeds from the sale in order to defray their budget deficit.
Why does the Board of Education want to demolish the building?
Previously the board discussed building a parking lot where the Murphy House stands. The district
currently has a budget deficit and little or no funds available to develop the property. When recently
asked, the board said they have no immediate plans for the site.
Does the district need to demolish the house in order to collect the
insurance settlement?
No. Friends of the Murphy House sent a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to the superintendent
asking for documentation related to the claim. We received two letters (March 2007 and August
2007) from the claims adjuster. Nowhere in these letters is it stated the building needs to be
demolished in order to collect the cash value settlement of $637,216.33. Also, at the 12/19/07 board
meeting member Steve Gravlin indicated he spoke to the claims adjustor and confirmed the building
does NOT need to be demolished in order to receive the settlement. It is not a choice between
"teachers, books and children" or the Murphy House as stated in the media. The district will receive
a settlement regardless.
Does the school need another parking lot?
The adjacent property, Mount Clemens High School, in its heyday held more than 2,000 students.
Today approximately 600 students attend the school. Friends of the Murphy House volunteers
conducted parking lot surveys and on average, more than 100 extra parking spaces are available
each day.
Is there a liability issue?
If the board were to sell the building outright to Friends of the Murphy House or any other entity, the
purchaser would assume all liability.
Should the Murphy House be moved?
Friends of the Murphy House is looking to find a win-win situation: the school board gets the
insurance settlement and we save the house. One drawback to moving the house is it would not
qualify for National Historic Designation and would lose more than $200,000.00 in restoration
grants. Since the school board doesn’t have immediate plans for the property, doesn’t need a
parking lot, doesn’t have the funds available to develop the property; why would the building be
moved?
What does Friends of the Murphy House want to do with the building?
We are looking into several possibilities which include helping the district find a tenant or asking the
district to sell/lease the building to Friends of the Murphy House. At this time the main focus of our
effort is to save the Murphy House from demolition.
Where is the Murphy House (School Administration Building) located?
The Murphy House (School Administration Building) is located at:
167 Cass Ave,
Mt Clemens, MI 48043
What happened to the building?
On November 9, 2006 an arsonist set fire to the Murphy House. If you have any information
regarding this arson please contact Detective Sergeant John Rollo of the Macomb County Sheriff’s
Office at (586) 307-9370.
Who are the Friends of the Murphy House?
The Friends of the Murphy House is a subsidiary of the Friends of Historic Preservation,
Mount Clemens and is in the application phase of becoming a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Our organization was formed by dedicated community volunteers who are committed to the
preservation and utilization of the Murphy House [School Administration Building] in Mount Clemens,
Michigan.
Demolishing the Murphy House will cost the school district more money then compared to utilizing it.
If the school board were to demolish the building, they would have to pay to get the building
abatement for asbestos and pay a demolishing company to demolish the building and remove the
debris. These additional costs would come out of the insurance settlement from the fire, which the
district plans to use to in order to pay down their budget deficit. If the school board would sell the
building to another entity, they would save tax dollars by avoiding the cost of demolishing the building
and receive the proceeds from the sale in order to defray their budget deficit.
Why does the Board of Education want to demolish the building?
Previously the board discussed building a parking lot where the Murphy House stands. The district
currently has a budget deficit and little or no funds available to develop the property. When recently
asked, the board said they have no immediate plans for the site.
Does the district need to demolish the house in order to collect the
insurance settlement?
No. Friends of the Murphy House sent a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to the superintendent
asking for documentation related to the claim. We received two letters (March 2007 and August
2007) from the claims adjuster. Nowhere in these letters is it stated the building needs to be
demolished in order to collect the cash value settlement of $637,216.33. Also, at the 12/19/07 board
meeting member Steve Gravlin indicated he spoke to the claims adjustor and confirmed the building
does NOT need to be demolished in order to receive the settlement. It is not a choice between
"teachers, books and children" or the Murphy House as stated in the media. The district will receive
a settlement regardless.
Does the school need another parking lot?
The adjacent property, Mount Clemens High School, in its heyday held more than 2,000 students.
Today approximately 600 students attend the school. Friends of the Murphy House volunteers
conducted parking lot surveys and on average, more than 100 extra parking spaces are available
each day.
Is there a liability issue?
If the board were to sell the building outright to Friends of the Murphy House or any other entity, the
purchaser would assume all liability.
Should the Murphy House be moved?
Friends of the Murphy House is looking to find a win-win situation: the school board gets the
insurance settlement and we save the house. One drawback to moving the house is it would not
qualify for National Historic Designation and would lose more than $200,000.00 in restoration
grants. Since the school board doesn’t have immediate plans for the property, doesn’t need a
parking lot, doesn’t have the funds available to develop the property; why would the building be
moved?
What does Friends of the Murphy House want to do with the building?
We are looking into several possibilities which include helping the district find a tenant or asking the
district to sell/lease the building to Friends of the Murphy House. At this time the main focus of our
effort is to save the Murphy House from demolition.
Where is the Murphy House (School Administration Building) located?
The Murphy House (School Administration Building) is located at:
167 Cass Ave,
Mt Clemens, MI 48043
What happened to the building?
On November 9, 2006 an arsonist set fire to the Murphy House. If you have any information
regarding this arson please contact Detective Sergeant John Rollo of the Macomb County Sheriff’s
Office at (586) 307-9370.
Who are the Friends of the Murphy House?
The Friends of the Murphy House is a subsidiary of the Friends of Historic Preservation,
Mount Clemens and is in the application phase of becoming a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Our organization was formed by dedicated community volunteers who are committed to the
preservation and utilization of the Murphy House [School Administration Building] in Mount Clemens,
Michigan.