Work on Ypsilanti Freighthouse gears up for summer

Wednesday, March 31, 2010 | Source: Concentrate

Constructions workers will be doing some heavy lifting on the Ypsilanti Freighthouse this summer, and laying the foundation for it this spring.

Work has begun on the first phase of the $500,000 redevelopment project. It includes restoring foundation stone and pouring concrete piers that will support new steel beams that will serve as the building's rib cage.

"That will stabilize the building," says Ed Penet, chair of the building committee for the Friends of Ypsilanti Freighthouse.

The Freighthouse received a $500,000 state grant last summer for rehabilitation work to turn the historic building back into a community center, as well as the Ypsilanti stop on proposed Detroit-Ann Arbor commuter train line. Bids for the project came in about half of what the friends committee budgeted for, allowing it to add a second phase to the project.

"It came in quite a bit below what we expected, leaving about $250,000 on the table," Penet says. He adds that the friends group recently received permission from state officials to use the rest of the money on more improvements.

Those improvements will be included in the second phase of the project, which is expected to go out to bid in May with construction beginning by Memorial Day. That phase will include repairing and replacing the decks around the building, repairing, cleaning and sealing the brick work and finish stabilizing the building.

"By the end of Phase 2 at least the structure will be stabilized," Penet says. "Then the work begins on the interior."

The friends group is also raising money to continue that work, which includes repairing the interior floors and other parts that will make the building more comfortable. If it raises $25,000, the Community Foundation will match it and then double it for a total of $100,000.

The friends group will hold a fundraiser at 6 p.m. on April 19 called the Train Stops Here. It will include entertainment and an auction. Tickets cost $35 and are for sale at the Mix, Hobbs, Sidetracks and at YpsilantiFreighthous.org.

Source: Ed Penet, chair of the building committee for Friends of Ypsilanti Freighthouse
Writer: Jon Zemke