Pontiac Silverdome may be up for auction

PONTIAC, Mich., June 29 (UPI) -- Officials in Pontiac, Mich., say they are in the process of organizing an auction of the Pontiac Silverdome, the former home of the Detroit Lions.

Pontiac Emergency Financial Manager Fred Leeb said the planning of the stadium auction got under way nearly two weeks ago, but insisted the city is still attempting to find an immediate buyer for the sports facility, The Detroit News said Monday.

"We're going to try something new," Leeb said, adding the Silverdome costs the city nearly $2 million annually in maintenance costs.

The Detroit Lions used the 80,300-seat facility as the NFL team's home stadium from 1975 to 2001 and the Silverdome was previously used by the Detroit Pistons from 1978 to 1988.

Leeb told the Detroit News one potential problem regarding the auction sale of the sports facility, which was completed in 1975, is that its land has been tabbed for housing.