Precinct Tax Fund
Many of you know who we are and what we are trying to accomplish! For those who don't, this is our story...
In October of 2013 a small group of punks started renting a building in Detroit's Southwest side in the hopes to start an all ages DIY venue and jam space. The building, not having been occupied since the 90's was in horrible disrepair. For three months the group added plumbing, bathrooms, a hot water heater, furnace and electrical while demoing and painting the entire ceiling which was dilapidated from neglect. This process was expensive and time consuming but on January 1st 2014 we hosted our first show! For 3 years we raged....hosting bands from all over the world, from Japan to Sweden and Australia to New Zealand, from Columbia and Panama to Canada and from everywhere in the US. We also supported the local scene by offering a cheap spot for bands to practice and host shows of their own.
In January of 2017 we were at risk of closing the doors. Despite the work we had done to the building, the landlords demanded a much higher rent in a quickly gentrifying Detroit.
We had the choice of giving up or trying to move on. As a member supported and run space, we knew that higher rent was unsustainable as we already had trouble supporting the space monetarily as it was.
The group started a Kickstarter to buy a building of our own, an option that would someday allow us to sustain ourselves! The rally of support was incredible. Hundreds of people donated funds, bands made benefit release amd played benefit gigs, artists created art, printers made t-shirts and countless people shared our story and came to our benefit shows. In 3 month, WE DID IT! We raised a little over $12,000 towards a building of our own.
In March of 2017, just as our funds became available, an absolutely unbelievable Albert Kahn built bank from 1915 came up for Land Contract with exactly 12k down. We jumped at the chance and bought the building despite it needing to be completely renovated.
As of now our core members split the $750 Landcontract payments and we rally what other money we can to start renovations. We have been able to secure the building, buy a generator so that we can work and are extremely close to having a working toilet!
Still looming are the back taxes which we took over when we bought the building. These taxes totaled 14k but through member donations we have widdled them down to 11k. The 2015 taxes are now subject to foreclosure and we have to raise 5 thousand dollars to pay them off.
Once we can get on our feet, we feel that this building will be a completely sustainable long term home for us since the yearly taxes only total to $250 a month once we are on top of them!
Please consider helping us get to that point! If you can donate money, please do! If you can play a benefit gig, please contact us! If you can donate time or ANYTHING else, let us know!
