FOIA Friday: Boblo building demolition permit

• The port authority owns the building but ceded control of it to the Morouns under a complicated agreement reached during former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's tenure.
• After demolition began last month near the Ambassador Bridge, we filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for the city's permit to verify who is in charge of following the proper demolition procedures.

Catch up quick: Renowned architect Albert Kahn designed the warehouse that opened in 1926 to store maritime cargo.

• Its name stems from large ads painted on the building for the Boblo amusement park ferry service that was discontinued in the 1990s.
• The port raised concerns about the demolition plan in 2021 because it didn't want to get stuck with the bill — $3 million, per WDET.

State of play: Unlike its sluggish responses to our requests in the past, the city promptly provided a copy of the demolition permit for free.

• The permit expired on April 30. But a spokesperson for the mayor's office said it was extended six months after a recent inspection.

What they're saying: The port authority no longer objects to the demolition, executive director Mark Schrupp tells Axios.

• The Morouns' Ambassador Port Co. is paying for the job, Schrupp says.
• A spokesperson for the Ambassador Port Co. did not return Axios' request for comment.