Bike cooperative fighting to keep space after owner of building they moved into wants them out | WXYZ Detroit

DETROIT (WXYZ) - A bike cooperative that moved into a vacant building in Detroit without permission is fighting to keep their space because the owner now wants them out of the building.

The group Fireweed Universe City and Bike Cooperative moved into a building on Woodward near 7 mile about a year ago.  They moved in without permission.  Back then group member Sara Bohan said the building was vacant and boarded up.

“Nasty.  It was a complete wreck so we’ve definitely improved the building by cleaning up the space inside, moving garbage and needles.  Drugs were used here and who else knows what went down here and now we’ve turned it into a place of beauty and function,” said Bohan.

Bohan said they wanted to rent or buy the building but could not find the owner.  Last week the owner found them.  Bohan said now she wants to kick them out.

“What we’re doing here is trying to help the community we are part of.  Would you like to come in and check it out?  And she refused to even come in.  And it’s not even about who owns it, it’s about making the neighborhood a better place,” said Bohan.

The group, which is applying for nonprofit status, encourages kids to clean up neighborhoods in Detroit and learn how to build bicycles.  Then in exchange kids get to keep the bikes.  Last year the group gave away 100 bikes.  

“We love having them here and things seem to be growing,” said Robert Pizzimenti.
[Keep reading at WXYZ]