Former DTE building re-opened, ready for tenants

Reprint from Monroe News – Saturday July 25, 2015

By TRAVIS TROMBLEY / travis@monroenews.com

The former DTE Energy office building downtown, now called the Vajcner Building, is open again and looking for tenants.

Gary Vajcner, 69, purchased the building from DTE in March of last year when DTE began consolidating their work spaces.

He has since renovated the building, at 111 E. First St. across from the courthouse, with two new handicapped bathrooms and a gas boiler. He is working on getting air conditioning installed.

“I didn’t have to do a whole lot since it was in great shape,” Mr. Vajcner said. “Edison spared no expense when they built it, that’s for sure.”

He highlights the grand staircase, fireplace in the main lobby, marble bathrooms and a built-in vault in the basement as evidence.

There already are two renters in the process of securing city compliance, but the 75,000-squarefoot structure easily can fit more, Mr. Vajcner said.

Considering its location directly across from the courthouse, he thinks it would be prime real estate for attorney offices.

“It’s a great downtown location and one of the best-looking buildings in Monroe,” Mr. Vajcner said. “I just want to make sure it’s an asset for the city.”