Description:
This portrait of Battle Creek City Hall accompanied a Dec. 30, 1983, story about the sale of the building to a Chicago real estate firm, which was to embark on a $1.7 million renovation project. Proponents argued that the sale-leaseback scheme would save taxpayers about $1 million. Under the plan, the city gave title to the firm for a $4.9 million promissory note, would lease the property for a least 10 years at $39,000 annually and would have the option to repurchase the building after 10 years for $2.25 million.