TRAVERSE CITY- Union Street Station, one of the oldest bars in Traverse City, is scheduled to close by the end of the month following an eviction filing. Court documents obtained by Nine and Ten News show the establishment is facing legal action after falling behind on maintenance and failing to address multiple safety violations.
The bar has been a fixture in the community since the 1890s, with the current owner operating the business since 2009. The building owner is now suing the operators for $50,000 in addition to the eviction, citing fire hazards and damages that were not resolved following a November inspection.
Recent inspections of the property uncovered significant safety hazards, particularly in the basement. Court documents state that during a November walkthrough, inspectors found water leaking through a hole in the front door. This water was leaking onto asbestos-wrapped pipes located next to exposed electrical wires. Following these findings, the insurance company representing the property threatened to cancel the policy in November unless the issues were addressed immediately.
The legal dispute centers on an amended lease agreement that reportedly placed the bar operators in charge of maintenance. These responsibilities included electrical systems, door replacements and general cleanliness. While the building owner claims he gave the operators one month to address the problems found during the inspection, the bar operators contest the terms of the maintenance agreement and plan to fight those points in court.
The building owner alleges that although some repairs were completed, many were not. He claims he has to pay more than $35,000 for overdue emergency repairs the property currently needs. In addition to the eviction, the building owner is suing the bar operators for $50,000.
The operators of Union Street Station did not return requests for comment but posted an update to social media regarding the legal battle. They stated they were “not happy about the situation” and intended to explain their side of the issue during their upcoming court date.
Despite the legal proceedings, the building owner expressed a desire to preserve the character of the historic location. He indicated he plans to keep the space as a bar that maintains the same spirit as Union Street Station. Multiple parties have already reached out to the owner to discuss the future of the establishment.
The bar operators are scheduled to appear in court next week to address the claims and the eviction.