Brighton City Council voted Tuesday night to move forward with the demolition of the old town hall building, citing nearly $2 million in renovation costs, despite strong pushback from neighbors fighting to save the century-old landmark.
The building on Bush Street first served as the Brighton Town Hall, then later became the public library, and most recently was used as a senior center from 1976 to 2012.
- Watch the full story in the video player below.
The building was designated as a historic landmark in 2014, but has sat vacant for the past 14 years.
Brighton resident Gail McGaugh, who lives across the street from the historic landmark, said she has been going door to door to garner support from neighbors to keep the building standing.
“A woman across the street went here as a child to the library with her sisters. Another guy up the street had the first house here, and he remembers when it was city hall. There’s so many people that feel so passionate, they’re in love with this building,” McGaugh said.
The City of Brighton’s Budget and Innovation Department said because of financial and safety reasons, the city can longer preserve the building. The department said the building has been subject to environmental and health hazards, like asbestos, significant deterioration, and multiple break ins since it became vacant…