May 28, 2009
Source: The Detroit News
Wire Service: AP
A federal appeals court says Detroit did not violate the Constitution when it partially reimbursed churches for renovations before the Super Bowl and other major sporting events.
After winning a bid to host the 2006 Super Bowl, the city in 2003 created a development program to reimburse up to half the costs of refurbishing downtown buildings and parking lots.
Three churches received 6 percent, or $737,000, of more than $11 million allocated for projects.
The group American Atheists sued, claiming the city could not include religious organizations in the program.