Nearly a dozen items and artwork from Northland Mall are about to find a new home in Southfield.
The city purchased 11 items after the mall closed in 2015 and plans to scatter the pieces of art throughout the city.
The Boy and Bear sculpture, arguably the most well-known piece, is going in the Southfield Public Library.
"A year ago when the mall closed we thought it would be outrageous for the art collection to leave the city. To us, it would've been a great loss," says Ken Siver, Southfield mayor.
The City of Southfield took out a $500,000 loan to purchase the art and they did it without taxpayer dollars. City leaders are now hoping to raise $600,000 to repay the loan and establish an art fund in Southfield.
"We all have Northland memories. I was a college student and that’s where we used to hang out. Many, many memories over the decades," adds Siver.
If you'd like to donate, you can send cash donations or checks to Mayor's Office, 26000 Evergreen Road, P.O. Box 2055, Southfield, MI 48037-2055. Checks should be made payable to City of Southfield. Please indicate "Free the Bear" on the memo line. You can also donate online, here: https://www.gofundme.com/freethebear.
All donations are tax-deductible.
