Wyandotte's Masonic Arts Center rehab is under way

Work is well underway at the Masonic Arts Center, which could open during the Holiday Season.

Construction workers are busy creating space for all sorts of artists in the historic Masonic Temple just outside of downtown. At the same time, local artists are lining up for space there.

"We have a lot of people who are interested," says Patt Slack, owner of the River's Edge Gallery and one of the main proponents behind the Masonic Arts Center.

The city plans to turn the 3-story building into an arts incubator of sorts. The original idea was to turn the basement and first floor of the structure into a place for visual artists. The second and third floors, which house a stage, would be renovated to facilitate performance arts. It would serve as a central base for early stage artists in the downriver area. The organizers behind this effort hope to have everything done by the end of the year.

Wyandotte purchased the building at 81 Chestnut St., just outside of downtown, in 2007. It has been creating plans and lining up funding since then. The structure dates backs to the 19th Century and originally served as a Masonic temple. More recently it was home to the Church of Many Miracles.

Source: Patt Slack, owner of Rivers Edge Gallery
Writer: Jon Zemke