Work nearly complete on Ypsilanti Freighthouse renovation

Wednesday, December 3, 2008 | Source: Concentrate

Work is close to wrapping up on the latest improvements to the historic Ypsilanti Freighthouse.

Workers have graded the landscape around the building so it slopes away from the structure, allowing water to flow into a planned rain garden. That rain garden and other surrounding landscaping will be planted next spring. Fascia and gutters on building have also been replaced

The Friends of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse is behind the effort. It's currently looking into and applying for more grants to pay for the estimated $400,000 in repairs. The friends group is on the short list for the Pfizer grant from the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. It is also lobbying the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments to use the freighthouse as Ypsilanti's terminal for Detroit-Ann Arbor Commuter Rail Line.

The freighthouse has been a landmark structure in city's Depot Town district for decades. However, age and wear and tear have forced the structure to close. It is now in need of major renovation work.

The freighthouse served the adjacent railroad from 1878 to right after World War II. The 5,000-square-foot structure became a warehouse before the city bought it in 1979, turning it into a community center. It made the state Register of Historic Places in 1997. More recently, the Depot Town farmer's market set up shop on the surrounding parking lot.

The freighthouse closed in 2004 due to a couple of significant but not insurmountable structural issues. The building's attached deck needs to be rebuilt, its west-facing wall bows out, and the floor needs to be refurbished to eliminate trip hazards.

Source: Friends of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse
Writer: Jon Zemke