A real David vs Goliath story is playing out in Corktown in Detroit; the UFO Factory Bar verses Elton Park, a Soave $150 million development on Trumbull near Michigan Avenue.
This week a crew working with Monahan General Contractors hit a side wall on the bar and caused serious damage. Cracks are so deep you can see through to the inside of the bar.
The City of Detroit issued a Stop Order on the work on the new development and Condemned the bar as unsafe to occupy.
These two have been through litigation over the land around the bar, suing each other. Both cases ended in a draw.
The bar owner, Dion Fischer confirms Soave wants to buy his bar and move him out, the latest offer came last week. And when he said no, then the accident with the wall happened.
Today a spokesman said they are still trying to determine what happened.
Detroit City officials say it is on the contractor to take necessary measures to protect adjacent properties and they are responsible for the damage caused.
Tony Soave is the big businessman behind the project.
In 2008, 7 Action News showed how he allowed then Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick use two of Soave’s private jets while trying to get contracts with the city. A spokesman says that has nothing to do with today and this new development is designed to fit into the Corktown atmosphere.
