10 April 2009: The restoration of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse, a landmark in Depot Town, got a major boost today with the delivery of $500,000 in Federal stimulus money. This compliments a $100,000 grant recieved through Hamburger Helper (of all places) to do major work necessary to re-open the bulk of the Freighthouse, which had been used as a community center in the past. The news is particularly complimentary to the plans for the Ann Arbor - Detroit Communter Rail (see here for more details), as the Freighthouse can be used as a cafe and visitor center for the stop in Ypsilanti.
On hand were folks from the Friends of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse, the Mayor of Ypsilanti, Governor Granholm, Representative Dingell, State Representative Wheeler-Smith and another State Representative whose name I've forgotten, along with various and sundry folks from the are. There was, I'm happy to say, a Large Check, which was duly handed over.
In other interesting news, the Governor mentioned the State's plan to work with Illinois and Wisconsin to develop a Midwest high-speed rail network, connecting Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis and Millwaukee. I've heard about this before, but don't have many details, but I'm looking forward to it.
Photos, as soon as they finish perculating through the toobes, will be here.