On the eve of Movement 2024, part of the facade of Cass Corridor's Temple Bar collapsed, temporarily closing the popular bar. This happened at about 10 a.m. Friday morning.
Cass Avenue is currently closed at Temple due to the conditions.
According to the Detroit News,
"Temple Bar is closed until the owner can provide us an engineer's letter saying that it is safe to occupy," Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department Director David Bell said in a statement. "The health, safety and welfare of patrons and citizens is our primary focus."
The LGBTQ+ bar had events planned for the busy holiday weekend. The bar is owned by George Boukas; his father opened the bar in 1927. He tells Eater Detroit:
“Somehow the limestone on the top of the building just caved in,” Boukas says of the damage, noting that the interior was unscathed. “We’re waiting for the engineering supervisor to come out” from the city and assess the damage, and adds that Temple Bar is working with DPD to clear and “secure the sidewalk for everyone’s safety.” He says the bar is closed indefinitely but plans to post updates to Temple’s social accounts on Instagram and Facebook.
The Detroit Free Press reports that staff said there was a nearby sinkhole in the street that had been reported; when a bus hit it, the building would shake.
We'll update when more information becomes available.
