Detroit-Based Group Seeking To Purchase Hamlet Of Hell

PUTNAM TWP. (WWJ/AP) - A Detroit-based group has launched a crowdfunding campaign with the goal of raising more than $1.3 million to purchase holdings in the unincorporated village of Hell.

The organization known as Damned plans to use the money to buy Hell, located in Putnam Township, and build a performing arts center where events could be held year-round.

Anthony DVS, the leader of Damned, told the Livingston Daily Press & Argus that the group wants to expand its productions and bring more elaborate events to Hell, like an annual festival with performance, music and art.

"Our idea is to utilize the back land area to build an enclosed, temperature-controlled structure," he said. The hope is that the center would attract people to the area for small concerts, theater productions, wedding receptions and corporate parties.

Damned must raise the full amount of money it's seeking -- $1,333,666 -- by March 22. More than $47,000 had been donated to the group's Kickstarter campaign as of Wednesday morning.

The group currently produces the Damned Expedition, an art show held around Halloween each year in Detroit.

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