Historic Detroit music studio bought by state to preserve building during construction

DETROIT – A historic Detroit music studio where stars such as Aretha Franklin and Miles Davis recorded has been bought by the state to preserve the building during a freeway project.

Michigan’s Transportation department says Friday that United Sound Systems will be relocated to an adjacent parking lot to allow more distance from proposed retaining walls along Interstate 94.

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The studio produced the first single for the Tamla Records label which later became Berry Gordy’s Motown Records. It closed in the mid-2000s and was targeted for demolition in 2013 under a plan to widen I-94.

The state spent $1.7 million from the freeway project’s right of way funds for the building, lot and studio equipment.

The building will remain inside a historical district. Transportation officials say they will work to sell it after it’s moved.