Go west young Ypsilanti commuter train station

Wednesday, April 22, 2009 | Source: Concentrate

Ypsilanti’s commuter rail station has its first official direction - west. As in the west side of the tracks. That’s where the city’s Planning Commission recommended putting the station in Depot Town.

The Depot Town Downtown Development Authority and City Council still need to weigh in before the Southeastern Michigan Council of Governments makes the decision, but it appears the west side of the tracks is starting to take the early lead.

What’s for certain is that Ypsilanti’s station for the Detroit-Ann Arbor commuter rail line is going in Depot Town. City officials and residents have been debating whether to out the station on the west side of the tracks (same side as the Ypsilanti Freighthouse) or on the east side.

Working in favor of the west side is that the Freighthouse has received $500,000 to renovate the historic structure. The Friends group working to restore it is also lobbying to have serve as the train station.

"It could," says Richard Murphy, city planner for Ypsilanti. "I think they could be linked or they could stand separately."

The Depot Town DDA is expected to take up the matter later this month. Brian Vosburg, executive director of the Depot Town DDA, said he doesn’t know which side the board will decide. "The board has people on both sides," Vosburg says.

The City Council will take up the matter in May. All of these recommendations could be for naught since SEMCOG, which is running the project, will make the ultimate decision.

Source: Richard Murphy, city planner for Ypsilanti and Brian Vosburg, executive director of the Depot Town Downtown Development Authority
Writer: Jon Zemke