Thanks to the commitments of some local organizations, the
Friends of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse (FOYF) are closer to their goal of restoring the historic facility to full use. The volunteer-run group has secured $40,000 in commitments from the Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority, Eastern Leaders group and private donors, which will be used as matching funds for a hoped-for $60,000 grant from the State Historic Preservation Office.
"This is a community building," says FOYF chair Corinne Sikorski. "It's the only and the best place in our community to have groups of people come together. It's a really fun space."
The FOYF has been working for a number of years to renovate the historic Depot Town building that was once a part of the Michigan Central Railroad Complex. With the potential $100,000 in funding, should the grant be awarded, they plan to install a required fire suppression system. After completing that project, other necessary renovations to the space include handicap-accessible bathrooms and upgrades to heat and plumbing. When all of those renovations could be completed is currently tentative.
"I'm hesitant to set a date," says Sikorski, who says changes in FOYF board members and volunteers has impacted the project's momentum over the years. "But we're hoping in a year to everything done."
The vision for the renovated Freighthouse is expanded use as a community space, events venue and indoor farmer's market.
Source: Corinne Sikorski, Friends of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse
Writer: Natalie Burg
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