A group of local environmental activists are gearing up to put a modern twist on Ypsilanti's historic City Hall.

The final approval for the project is in now that the city’s Historic District Commission gave the green light last night. The group plans to start putting the solar panels on the backside of the City Hall next year.

"Our next step is to request bids," says Dave Strenski, volunteer with the Ypsilanti Solar Panel Project.

The best part is that this will cost the city exactly nothing. The volunteers landed a $36,000 grant and brought in a few thousand dollars in local donations to complete the funding. The Ypsilanti Solar Panel Project is also the group that put solar panels on top of the Ypsilanti Food Co-op.

The City Hall solar panel won't satisfy all of the facility's electric needs, but it will serve as a demonstration of how solar technology works and can be used in private projects, such as in homes or in businesses.

The volunteers are also setting up a website that will monitor how much electricity the panels produce at both the Co-op and City Hall. The Ypsilanti Solar Panel Project is still looking for $50 pledges to fund the City Hall and future projects. For information on giving, click here.
 
Source: Dave Strenski, volunteer with the Ypsilanti Solar Panel Project
Writer: Jon Zemke