Masonic Temple Averts Blackout

Detroit’s Masonic Temple, which houses a concert venue that’s hosted the likes of the Who and The Rolling Stones, narrowly averted going dark – literally – when DTE Energy threatened to cut off its utilities Aug. 24 for non-payment.

DTE posted a notice on the door of the historic Masonic Temple – built in 1926 and touted as the world’s largest – saying it would shut off the juice if the “substantial” bill was not paid in three days, according to the Detroit News.

Someone must know the secret handshake, because DTE Energy announced Aug. 27 that it mysteriously had not gone through with the blackout.

“We’re still in discussions with them and hopefully the problem will be resolved,” DTE spokesman Scott Simons told the paper, but refusing to say how much the Temple owes. He added there is now no cutoff date and no deadline for payment.

Masonic Temple events director Jim Romeo told the paper the building was behind on its payments but would make good on its debt.