A piece of Lake Orion history won’t become history anytime soon.
The Ehman Center went to Deborah Moceri for $52,500 at an auction held at the old school on Sept. 30.
According to Lois Golden, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, Moceri plans on retaining the building at 55 Elizabeth Street, which once housed Lake Orion’s entire K-12 school population.
‘She previously expressed interest in creating a community cultural center,? Golden said. ‘If her plans remain the same, it’s unlikely we’ll see it demolished.?
The building was put up for auction by Wendy Patton, who owned it for nine years. It housed Love INC’s furniture store and clothing ministry, among other things. It also housed the Boys & Girls Club, until they moved to the former Gingellville Community Center nearly two years ago.
Only two parties put in bids on the building, according to Golden. In the end, Moceri, whose family is known throughout Oakland County as developers and builders of luxury subdivisions, came away with the building after a bid that was much lower than anticipated.
Moceri was visibly ecstatic about the purchase at the auction, which was attended mainly by residents in the immediate area of the building, according to Golden.
‘She was really happy to get it,? she said.
And while her family is known for subdivisions, Golden said it seems Moceri intends on preserving the building. Built in 1927, the two-story, 35,000-square-foot structure has 25 classrooms and a large gymnasium.
‘In this economy, anything can happen, but I know there’s tremendous interest in preserving this historic structure.?