To reopen the Ypsilanti Freighthouse .

For years, Friends of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse have been working behind the scenes to restore and reopen the historic landmark. Once open to the public, the Ypsilanti Freighthouse promises to bring a renewed sense of community to the heart of Depot Town – as a home for Ypsilanti’s Farmers’ Market and a venue for community events. Plans also include a stop on a future commuter rail between Detroit and Ann Arbor – complete with a café and welcome center.

Built in 1878 and listed on the State Register of Historic Places, the Freighthouse has long played a vital role in the growth of Ypsilanti’s Depot Town. Acquired in 1979 by the City of Ypsilanti, the Freighthouse served as a multi-purpose gathering place for community events for many years before being closed for safety reasons in 2004.

Restoring and reopening the Freighthouse has been a priority for many in Ypsilanti. The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation’s grant support and our role in connecting the project to public and private resources have been instrumental in moving the restoration project forward.

AAACF first awarded a $101,300 grant in 2009 to support the Freighthouse project as part of Pfizer’s $1 million departing legacy gift. That first grant funded the architectural and engineering drawings to bring the project to “shovel-ready” status. That set the stage for a $500,000 stimulus grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).

Restoration efforts to date have focused on the structural repairs required to reopen the facility: repairing the stone foundation, stabilizing walls with steel columns, tightening all trusses and hardware, a new exterior deck and railing, and a new steel roof that matches the original.
 

Interior Renovations remain.  In 2010, AAACF awarded an additional $25,000 as a 1:1 challenge grant to encourage private gifts to fund interior renovations not covered by MDOT’s grant. The Friends have successfully raised more than $50,000.

And in 2010, AAACF brought the project to the Masco Corporate Foundation for consideration – knowing it fit with MCF’s funding priorities. Melonie Colaianne, President of MCF, explains: “For MCF, collaboration is an important opportunity for meaningful partnerships that strengthen local communities.” MCF has invested $25,000 in grant and in-kind support to renovate the Freighthouse’s café area.

Architectural drawings detail the remaining interior renovations: a catering kitchen, restrooms, new lighting, refinished barn doors, a heating and cooling system, and a refinished floor. Once completed, a welcoming and open venue will host events for up to 300 people.

The Friends’ current business plan demonstrates the Freighthouse’s potential to become a self-sustaining community resource. Connecting the Freighthouse to public and private resources has made it possible to move forward with restoring and reopening this beloved landmark – one that promises to bring community renewal and new opportunities to Ypsilanti.