Ypsilanti Freighthouse renovation will require more time and funding
Renovation of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse will take longer to complete and require more funding than originally thought, according to the Ypsilanti Courier.
The reopening of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse in Depot Town will take longer than originally thought.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
In November, Friends of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse (FOYF) said the building would reopen in May and would only require an additional $75,000 to complete the project.
Now, it is unclear when renovation will be complete and changes to the original plan will require between $250,000 and $300,000 in additional funds, according to the Courier.
AnnArbor.com previously reported that the Freighthouse, built in 1979, was closed to the public in 2004 because of structural and budget issues. In 2008 FOYF signed a contract to oversee the renovation and reopening of the Freighthouse. According to the Courier, roughly $1 million has been spent on renovation over the past few years.
The biggest change to the original plan is the addition of a fire suppression system to the entire building, the Ypsilanti Courier reported.
The renovation previously received funding from grants and donations, according to an AnnArbor.com report.
Chelsea Hoedl is an intern reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at choedl@mlive.com.
Comments
Ronald Crow
Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 7:12 a.m.
I know it was built before 1979, I use to play(chase the ghosts) in there around 1975.:)
TK2013
Mon, Jul 1, 2013 : 12:38 p.m.
The actual amount of funds (mostly public, taxpayer funds) that have been lost in this laughable debacle far exceed the amount that is reported in this article. AA.com should investigate more deeply and report its findings to the public. In other words, perform 'real' journalism. The truthful figure is easily attainable from city records. Speaking with persons who have been involved with this fiasco from day one…like Councilman Pete Murdock, for example, is another great resource for the truth.
beardown
Sat, Jun 29, 2013 : 3:14 p.m.
$75k original estimate somehow becomes $300k plus? How do you miss $250k worth of work that is needed? The board has great intentions and, if ever finished, will be a great addition to depot town. But the leadership is in over it's head and needs to be replaced. You cannot underestimate your costs on a small project (compared to other larger building projects) by a couple hundred k and be deemed competent. Bring them back in after the building is finished and bring in people who know what they are doing.
Ross
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 7:47 p.m.
Did they really expect to open the building for public use, with a coffee shop and all, without a new fire suppression system? Fail.
beardown
Sat, Jun 29, 2013 : 3:29 p.m.
Wooden building in an area that has thundestorms and droughts... Why would they need a fire suppression system? Darn government oversight.
Speedy Squirrel
Sat, Jun 29, 2013 : 3:21 a.m.
It also burned down once. That darn bigger government just won't let this city loose its investment due to fire.
Chelsea Hoedl
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 11:20 p.m.
It is my understanding that they planned to have a fire suppression system in the cafe in the original plan. The change to the plan was to have the system throughout the whole building.
Mike
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 9:55 p.m.
It has been around for over 135 years without a fire suppression system and other code related items. Bigger government to protect us all...................
Jake
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 7:41 p.m.
The Freighthouse was built in 1878, not 1979.
A2comments
Sat, Jun 29, 2013 : 11:28 a.m.
Wow...
sdrawkcabsiispy
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 6:04 p.m.
This group operating the Freighthouse does not seem competent to handle such large sums of money. I seem to recall the city "loaning" a large sum of money ($85,000?) to this group a couple of years back to repair the roof. It was my understanding that the Friends of the Freighthouse were to repay this money when they opened for business. annarbor.com - could you please look into this and let us taxpayers know if we can ever expect to recover those tax dollars? It seems silly to invest any more dollars into this problem considering the history of setbacks and false promises. On the bright side, at least one of their board members was compensated nicely for the design contract that she was awarded for the project.
Speedy Squirrel
Sat, Jun 29, 2013 : 3:19 a.m.
I think this board needs to be dissolved ASAP. I have been to a meeting, and they are not up to the task. The building is actually usable now, and could be generating revenue, but it's not. I'm surprised a private buyer has not been sought out. This place would be snapped up in a minute if priced in the 300 to 500 K range. It could easily pay that back in 5 years through hall rental fees. Maybe it sould be offered up on a subscription basis to the community. I would invest 10K.
Forest City
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 5:20 p.m.
I want an accounting. You could build a brand new building for much less. Where did the million dollars go?
Speedy Squirrel
Sat, Jun 29, 2013 : 3:15 a.m.
It is always more expensive to restore an old structure than to level it and build a new one. Duh. They had to put a new foundation under this building and add structural steel tied to the new foundation to hold up the old brick walls. I believe if you want an accounting you can go down to City Hall and see it. But you won't.