by P.D. Lesko

On July 28, 2023, Ypsilanti Twp. officials filed a “PETITION TO DECLARE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY A PUBLIC NUISANCE, FOR ISSUANCE OF AN ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE, PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION, PERMANENT RESTRAINING ORDER AND OTHER EQUITABLE RELIEF.” The suit, assigned to Trial Court Judge Timothy P. Connors, asks the judge to declare Men Like Us a public nuisance.

In Mar. 2023, The Ann Arbor Independent published a piece in which public records revealed that since July 2021 a building leased to Ardis Lewis, Jr. that houses his non-profit Men Like Us had been the site of shootings, assaults, attempted murder and an alleged sexual assault. A Freedom of Information Act request to the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office turned up 19 police reports filed over the course of the 18 months after Men Like Us took up residence in a building at 3011 E. Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti Twp.

In the Township’s suit, attorney Dennis O. McLain alleges that Men Like Us CEO Ardis Lewis, Jr. obtained a Feb. 2021 Zoning Verification Letter by “intentionally misrepresenting” the nature of the proposed use of the building.

On February 12, 2021, Plaintiff Township received a “Zoning Verification Letter Application” (Exhibit F) which document described the proposed use as follows: “MEN LIKE US is a private men’s club organization. We believe in philanthropy and building strong community. We specialize in growth and development of young men. Our goal for the building’s use is to accommodate community outreach programs, host charity events, such free food for the homeless, Toys for Tots, and other private events.”

The Township’s suit, filed on July 28, states that before obtaining all of the necessary permits, Ardis Lewis, Jr. held “two unapproved gatherings” at the Men Like Us building. The Township’s attorney states in his filing: “Thus, the ground work has already been laid by the Defendant LEWIS and his businesses for the activities truly intended for this property which hardly, if at all, involved mentoring youths.”

In Jan. 2022, Twp. officials were made aware of a Dec. 2021 letter from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission naming Men Like Us.

On January 3, 2022, the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department received a fax transmission from Ypsilanti City Police Department attaching a letter from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission dated December 20, 2021 regarding “MEN LIKE US at 3011 East Michigan Avenue, Ypsilanti, Michigan 48198” stating that it had received information alleging that the business was allowing alcohol to be sold/served in the establishment and, further, that gambling was occurring. (Exhibit K) This information, coupled with the Calls for Service to this location by the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office between January 9, 2022 and June 9, 2023 such as those more particularly described below, will support this Court’s ultimate conclusion that Defendant LEWIS and his businesses use of the property has created a significant public nuisance threatening the public’s health, safety, peace, comfort and convenience.

The suit goes on to detail 22 police reports filed between Jan. 9, 2022 and June 9, 2023 related to a variety of incidents at the 3011 E. Michigan Ave. building. Those reports detail multiple shootings, assaults, shots fired, and multiple gunshot wounds.

Between late-July 2021 and March 2022, The Ann Arbor Independent used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain 19 police reports related to incidents at the Men Like Us club and its 3011 E. Michigan Ave. location.

The Township’s July 28, 2023 filing goes on to state that, “If Defendants do not outright promote gun violence by the described activities, they are at the very least indifferent or carelessly and recklessly host functions at which gun violence occurs either on the subject property or in the immediate vicinity thereto….”

The Twp.’s filing includes a police report from May 21, 2023:

5/21/2023 2:12 a.m. – WCSO Report No. 23-39718
• Deputies respond to “weapons fired” at subject property. Upon arrival, were advised that the weapons were fired to “control crowd.”
• Deputies recovered eight 9 millimeter shell casings on property.
• Although asked, Defendant LEWIS refuses to provide video.

Lewis’s permissions from Ypsilanti Twp. to operate his club state that not only is he required to provide video footage upon request to law enforcement, but he must also retain 45 days of video footage. Based on police reports, the lawsuit alleges that Lewis repeatedly refused to provide video footage to police investigating calls to the 3011 E. Michigan Ave. address. Lewis also told police he retained only 48 hours of video footage.

Trishe Duckworth, a Wayne County resident and the founder of a non-profit located in Belleville, MI called Survivors Speak, said in a Facebook entry posted to the Men Like Us Facebook page: “Men Like Us has been a safe haven for our nonprofit and so many others!” Duckworth went on to say, “To some, this may be just a club, but I’d challenge you to pay attention to the bigger picture and vision that continually manifests itself through the community work being done there.”

In 2021, Ardis Lewis, Jr. told the Ypsilanti Twp. Planning Commission, “They will not be renting the property out.”

In her Aug. 2023 comments on the Men Like Us Facebook page, Duckworth says, “When I asked Ardis Lewis Jr, he opened his doors without hesitation! I’ve called him for other community gatherings, to which he said yes and at affordable rates.”

Trishe Duckworth also pointed out that Ardia Lewis, Jr. “allows families to be there [at the Men Like Us club] with their loved ones after funerals.” It’s not clear whether such families are required to pay to use the space.

Along with Duckworth’s events, parties and wakes, among other events hosted at the Men Like Us club was a Feb. 25, 2023 roundtable discussion focused on “Black men dealing with trauma” put on by the Black Men Wellness and Resource Center in partnership with Men Like Us. The mental health and “trauma” event was hosted by Nate Frazier.

Court records show Frazier is a registered sex offender who was charged with Criminal Sexual Conduct in the 1st and 4th degrees. Frazier was charged with repeatedly raping a boy under the age of 13 in acts that included force or coercion. Ardis Lewis, Jr., County Prosecutor Eli Savit and Sheriff’s candidate Derrick Jackson were speakers at that Men Like Us gathering.

In an August 12, 2023 Facebook page post, Ardis Lewis, Jr. claims that his non-profit is being “shut down” by Ypsilanti Twp. officials.

“Help MenLikeUs in our legal fight with The Ypsilanti Township, Racial Discrimination is real, they have shut down every black business of entertainment or any social gatherings in our city. The oppression and bullying tactics of this township’s trustee board against the Black Community is going to stop and I’m standing up to make that happen. I’ve done to much good and supported everyone I could in my city. Now I’m asking for your blessing and support as I go into battle, anything helps… It Takes A Village to Make a Change.!”

IRS records show that Men Like Us is a non-profit. As such, it can only be “shut down” by its founder (Ardis Lewis, Jr.) or by an order of the IRS division that oversees non-profits. If enjoined from using the 3011 E. Michigan Ave. building, Ardis Lewis, Jr. would be free to buy or lease another property.

Ypsilanti Twp. officials are requesting Judge Connors grant an Ex Parte Restraining Order to stop Ardis Lewis, Jr. from doing the following:

i. Using 3011 East Michigan Avenue to facilitate armed violence in connection with the unlawful use of a firearm or other dangerous weapon;
ii. Allowing the subject property to be used or kept for the use of disorderly persons on a regular basis.
iii. Transferring any legal interest Defendant has in 3011 East Michigan Avenue property without the prior
approval of the Court.

Should the judge find that Men Like Us is a nuisance per se or a nuisance in fact, Ypsilanti Twp. asks for the following relief:

i. Prohibiting Defendants, their servants, agents, or employees from using the subject property to facilitate armed violence in connection with the unlawful use of a firearm or other dangerous
weapon.
ii. Prohibiting the property from being used or kept for the use of disorderly persons on a regular basis.
iii. Require the closing (padlock) of the structures located upon the subject property prohibiting any use for any purpose and to keep them so closed for a period of one (1) year.

iv. The removal from the building of all furniture, fixtures and contents and subsequently, their sale, to cover the costs in this proceeding.
v. Any other equitable relief the Court considers necessary.

Ypsilanti Twp. is also asking to have Ardis Lewis, Jr. and Men Like Us reimburse the Township for attorney’s fees.