Legislation Proposes to Transfer Farnum Building Ownership

Legislation introduced this week by Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) proposes to transfer ownership of the Farnum Building from the State of Michigan to the State Senate. The Farnum Building houses most Senate offices and some committee meeting rooms.

The building was deeded to the State of Michigan rather than the Senate in 1978 and, as the Legislature begins considering future action, Senator Richardville describes the step as simply fixing a problem in the law.

Asbestos, temperature regulation, and outdated, small spaces are among the issues facing the Farnum Building as the Senate begins to consider options such as fixing the problems and updating the space or selling the building outright to an interested private party.

Named after former Secretary of the Senate Billie S. Farnum, the building was built in 1959 and was originally the Stoddard Building named for Michigan National Bank founder Howard J. Stoddard. The state began leasing office space in the 1970s.

Under the legislation, Senate Bill 509, the revenue gained from any sale of the building would go to the Michigan Senate.

posted by PAA Online , Thursday, September 19, 2013 4:13 PM
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