Grosse Pointe Park — Transparency and immediacy were at odds once again as Grosse Pointe Park City Council voted 5-1 Monday, Oct. 28, to move forward in developing a $25 million arts center.

Resembling September’s contentious session to approve a new dog park, several members of the public shouted criticism at council members as they discussed the land contract and purchase agreement for property at the art center’s proposed site on East Jefferson.

Mayor Robert Denner abstained from voting to approve the $366,000 purchase from the Urban Renewal Initiative Foundation, which owns the parcel, because he serves on its board. Denner’s decision appeared to be the only thing deemed acceptable by some Park residents who vocalized frustration about a lack of information made publicly available before the vote.

“We did this over and over again, and we are doing it again now,” said Mayor Pro Tem Dan Clark, citing successful real estate projects that resulted in benefits to the community.

But Councilwoman Lauri Read opposed the vote, saying she had many questions ranging from the condition of a structure currently on the property to projected costs of maintenance and repair.

An appraisal to determine if the $366,000 purchase was a good investment should be performed, Read added.

“In sum, I wouldn’t be buying a house with this (lack of) information,” she said.

A form of chicken-or-egg discussion followed, with some council members and supporters like retired city manager Dale Krajniak saying further steps were contingent on a vote to approve the purchase, and residents arguing there wasn’t enough documentation to support its approval. The A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Center for the Performing Arts and the Richard and Jane Manoogian Art Gallery is to be financed by private donations. A. Paul Schaap, president of the A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Foundation, told council there was $15 million “in hand” to start developing the building and a vote to purchase the land would enable “vigorous fundraising” of the remaining $10 million.

Schaap was shouted down as he thanked council for the vote’s outcome before leaving the meeting.

“Is this public comment?” yelled a man in the audience. “If he gets a turn, I want a turn.”

The decision to allow public comment only after the vote, as is the Park’s procedure, also was criticized, causing Denner to gavel the room to order multiple times. But applause from many in the room followed Denner’s statement of gratitude to the Schaaps and Manoogians “for their generosity” in supporting what city leaders say will be a major attraction to the Park.

Following the meeting, Denner called the collaboration to develop the site that includes a Detroit property formerly used to house city vehicles, a way to connect the cities.

“We are in active discussions with Detroit officials to ensure the project and the use of the former Joe’s Garage are developed in complete cooperation between Detroit and Grosse Pointe Park, consistent with all Detroit permitting and regulations and in the best interests of the immediate area,” he said.

The most peaceful moment of the session came during its opening moments when the mayor asked members and Park residents to observe the deaths of two boys in a house fire early that morning, and a Grosse Pointe South High School student’s death weeks earlier.

“This community is enduring a lot of pain,” Denner said. “So I think it’s appropriate that we recognize that with a moment of silence.”