‘NO HARD FEELINGS’
Nonprofit Detroit Arsenal of Democracy seeks new site, must move from DPW soon
Too many vehicles; not enough garage space. That is the issue Warren Communications Director Clarissa Cayton said caused the city to ask the Detroit Arsenal of Democracy to move its historic vehicles to a location other than the city’s Department of Public Works garage.
“They’ve been there for six years and it was supposed to be a temporary thing,” said Cayton. “We are in a situation at this time where we have vehicles that need to be in that garage so that is why we have asked them to move.
“There are no hard feelings and we want to support what they do; we just need that space.”
John Lind, the Detroit Arsenal of Democracy Museum’s founder and director, said he would like to remain in Macomb County and preferably in Warren. In order to house the more than 40 historic military vehicles owned by the 501 ( c ) 3 nonprofit, Lind says about 5,000 square feet of secured indoor space is needed in addition to another 5,000 square feet of outdoor parking for the
Jeeps, military cars and armored vehicles.
“We feel like we have been part of the Warren community,” said Lind. “Back in 2014 when we had all of the flooding, the city used our vehicles to help residents.”
Lind remarked the city first asked his organization to have their vehicles out of the DWP garage on Stephens Road by Dec. 31, but that he was able to negotiate an extension to mid January.
“It is still a very short time frame for us to find a new home,” Lind said.
The Detroit Arsenal of Democracy
vehicles have long been part of various parades and community events both in Warren and in other communities.
“For one of these vehicles to be in a parade for an hour, it takes about 10 hours of maintenance to prepare it,” said Lind.
Museum charitable fundraising director Tom Cleaver said the Detroit Arsenal of Democracy is a desirable tenant with a large volunteer staff willing to handle building repairs and maintenance as part of the rent agreement.
“We are top notch tenants,”