Published: November 23, 2009 07:20 am      

Judge to decide fate of Silverdome

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) -- A judge who temporarily blocked the sale of the Pontiac Silverdome is expected to decide its fate.

Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Edward Sosnick is expected to decide Monday whether a $583,000 high bid submitted last week by a Canadian company was proper.

Silver Stallion Corp. asked Sosnick to nullify the auction sale. The group said their 2008 purchase agreement for $17 million should take precedent and alleges racial discrimination.

Pontiac officials said the Canadian company would take ownership of the 80,300-seat stadium and 127 surrounding acres within 45 days.

Pontiac has been spending $1.5 million a year to maintain the Silverdome, which was built in 1975 for $55.7 million. The city has been trying to sell the stadium since the Detroit Lions moved to Ford Field in downtown Detroit in 2002.