Thompson Block building barracks deemed historic site
Two months after Ypsilanti high school students painted a Civil War mural on the side of the building, the Michigan Historical Commission is recognizing Thompson Block as a historical site, the Ypsilanti Courier reported.
Ypsilanti High School students recently created a mural for the Thompson Block.
Katrease Stafford | AnnArbor.com
Pritchard and the other members of the volunteer infantry initially wrote what they wanted to be represented on the marker, but the Michigan Historical Commission determined the final wording to display on the marker.
A large fire gutted the Thompson Block building on Jan. 23, 2009. Developer Stewart Beal, whose company Historic Equities Fund 1 LLC owns the building, and the city ended up in court over a disagreement on how to proceed with the building’s renovation.
AnnArbor.com reported in April that the building is now painted and partly sealed. Beal has approximately 15 months left to complete the building's "envelope," including finishing the roof. The southeast portion of the structure also remains partially collapsed.
Read the full story on the Ypsilanti Courier's website.
Comments
lefty48197
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 10:26 p.m.
Yay!!!!!!!!!!!! This is great news for those of us who want to see that building restored. It's great news for those who have taken the financial risk and who are willing to put in the sweat to get this job done. Of course it's bad news for the naysayers, the non-believers, and those who lack vision. Keep up the fight! GET THIS BUILDING RESTORED!!!!
treetowncartel
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 9:24 p.m.
Dude, just because it is historic does not mean the bill fold is now open to fund what could have happened to this place over the past few decades. Might as well make Dahlman Depot historic then too if that is how it works.
ypsiRK
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 9:27 p.m.
Probably splitting hairs, but the fire occured in September and not January.
tdw
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 7:06 p.m.
Off topic.....But do any of you old people ( like me ) remember when there was a archery range there ? Just trying to keep things light
jns131
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 3:40 p.m.
Not a bad idea for those who shoot to make it look a little authentic?
treetowncartel
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 6:37 p.m.
Two questions come to mind. Are there grants that are now available for restoration that were not prviously? Second, if there are grants available, did the taxpayers just get hood winked by Mr. Beal and the dragging of his feet?
xmo
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 6:34 p.m.
Remembering the past, When Lincoln was President and "Copperheads" ( a vocal group of Northern Democrats) tried to take him down! Thanks Goodness Abe had dreams of the Union winning the war and the slaves being free. It is nice to paint this and learn the real History of the U.S..
Ignatz
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 5:35 p.m.
If not for the recent artwork, I was going to suggest a reenactment with Parrot Rifles using live ammunition targeting the structure.
dading dont delete me bro
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 4:59 p.m.
great...now it will take years (more than already) to get anything approved for that corner...
treetowncartel
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 6:38 p.m.
Just imagine if it had to go through the A@ historic distrcit commission.