SAULT STE. MARIE, MI — Jim Jacobson probably thinks he speaks for the entire Sault Ste. Marie citizenry when he effuses that “I think everyone will be pleased and surprised” by the plans his church group has for a historic building it plans to purchase. Chances are good that the building’s current patrons and business owner will not be among those who are “going to love what they see down there,” however.According to the Associated Press, what locals and visitors to the area will “see down there” will be the offices for The Front Royal, a Virginia-based non-denominational Christian organization. What currently exists “down there” is the Sensual Arts Adult Bookstore.
Sensual Arts has only a few days of professional life left, thanks to a zoning plan recently approved by the Sault Ste. Marie City Commission and expected to result in locked doors for the shop by June 1st, at the latest.
Christian Freedom International is poised to purchase the building as soon as it becomes available and already has an agreement to do so. The organization is already preparing to renovate the historic building, relocate its headquarters to the city, and hire at least six employees when it opens for business in September.
Once devoid of its previous retail purpose, the building will be used to provide international assistance and training to persecuted Christians.
Before this can be finalized, however, the city must arrive at an agreement with Lamar Signs, which currently possesses a contract for billboard space on the building. The company is willing to give up its right to use the building in exchange for billboard privileges on city-owned land near the airport.
