Thompson Block secured, painted 'historic terracotta"
Workers put the finishing touches on the Thompson Block on Friday evening.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
Crews put the finishing touches on the newly secured and freshly painted Thompson Block Friday evening. The light blue building is now "historic terracotta" and developer Stewart Beal says he can now start considering a new phase in the building's renovation.
The work was completed as the two-year anniversary of the fire that gutted the 148-year-old Depot Town structure approaches.
The work also comes just over a year after court-ordered facilitation between Beal and the city brought to an end a six-month dispute over the renovation's timeline. The deadline for completing the work was Sept. 2.
Beal now has another two years to complete the building's "envelope," including finishing the roof. The southeast portion of the structure also remains partially collapsed.
Beal said he will now begin looking for investors, financiers, potential tenants or other parties who can assist with funding the remaining construction. The project was once planned as a mixed commercial/residential use, but Beal has adjusted the plans to only include residential lofts.
"With the way the building looks now, I can talk to people about investing or renting, where over the past two years I wasn’t in position where I could say 'Hey, rent this. Hey, invest in this,'" Beal said. "It's great that we have it in this shape so people can say 'Look at that.'"
Beal said he talked to people around Depot Town Friday evening and heard all positive comments on the building's appearance.
"I think it’s great that we were able to complete the work we set out to do in time," he said, adding that he was pleased Shankwiler Construction was able to quickly complete a significant amount of masonry work.
"I'm proud of all of my team’s efforts to get the project from where it was on the day of the fire to where it is now," he said. "All the legal wrangling at the beginning delayed everything, but it has been a year since that ended and I think what we were able to do was extremely impressive."
Sidetrack owner Linda French said she also heard all positive comments from her customers, many of whom sit facing the Thompson Block while they dine.
"I have been down here for 35 years, and this is the best it has looked in that time," French said. "I don’t care that it’s still a shell, it’s the best it has looked in 35 years and I'm glad (Beal) didn’t tear it down. It shows that there's hope to get it restored."
Comments
Thomas
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 1:59 p.m.
Yeah! It looks so much better! Thanks Beal!
Life in Ypsi
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 11:33 p.m.
It looks very nice. Mr. Beal must be very committed to this area for sticking with this building after the fire.
jj45678
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 12:12 a.m.
What are you talking about? There is a picture!
dextermom
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 7:13 p.m.
Finally a picture!
oldblueypsi
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 6:34 p.m.
It's my understanding that the exterior paintwork was necessary to "seal the brick work". Was the interior coated as well? (Absent a roof, the interior walls are effectively exterior walls.) If not, will the lack of sealing result in disintegration from the "interior"?
roz
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 6:33 p.m.
When I read a piece of journalism, I expect to find the essential facts of the story. One of these would have been the name of the city in which the building is located.
LC
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 4:56 p.m.
Is there a timeframe for putting a roof on the building and fixing the back part? Or is he finished working on it? Precisely as intended?
AA
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 3:41 p.m.
This eyesore should have been torn down and replaced.
Fatkitty
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 2:33 p.m.
"Beal said he will now begin looking for investors, financiers, potential tenants or other parties who can assist with funding the remaining construction. The project was once planned as a mixed commercial/residential use, but Beal has adjusted the plans to only include residential lofts. " Great. The Building "looks" great, a huge improvement. But, big BUT, it seems now that Mr. Beal is short of cash, and has reconsidered the use of the building, contingent upon his ability to convince a few people to fork over some dough. Translation: This terracotta hollow hulk will continue to sit there, vacant, until hell freezes over, or the economy improves - whichever comes first. A mystery to passersby (what is it?). A haven for bats and rats (trust me - they know how to get in). Good luck, Mr. Beal. Maybe next time, if there is one, you'll think your project through - start to finish - before jumping in.
Carole Clare
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 2:28 p.m.
Picture is on Depot Town Merchants Facebook Page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=270641789630740&set=a.223215191040067.70985.216478581713728&type=1" rel='nofollow'>http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=270641789630740&set=a.223215191040067.70985.216478581713728&type=1</a>&theater
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 1:16 p.m.
"Beal now has another two years to complete the building's "envelope," including finishing the roof. " Is there any roof to finish? i haven't walked around the place so I don't know. Nothing else can happen toward a functional building till the weather is kept out.
eastsidemom
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 1:06 p.m.
Now if he would continue on this fruitful path and finish the job without breaking any more laws and dragging Ypsi into court once again, we could all be happy.
Jim Pryce
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 1:02 p.m.
Wow, a fresh coat of paint. Just like putting a band-aid on a bullet wound.
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 12:38 p.m.
"Beal has adjusted the plans to only include residential lofts." "Beal said he will now begin looking for investors, financiers, potential tenants or other parties who can assist with funding the remaining construction." wasn't the building insured against a catastrophic loss? Does he think a potential tenant would toss a down-payment toward him under the circumstances?
Jim Clarkson
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 2:54 a.m.
How is it even possible after all the stories you have done about this building , that you did not provide a picture with this story.
Peter
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 2:09 a.m.
Lipstick indeed. The entire lower third of the one 'complete' wall is held up by temporary columns, and the rear two thirds of the building are complete ruins. It took three years to put a coat of paint on a spectacular piece of urban blight.
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 12:33 p.m.
well said and to the point.
David Paris
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 1:36 a.m.
Significant. Appreciated. Historic.
rob white
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 1:04 a.m.
Lipstick
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 12:32 p.m.
indeed
Marcy
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 12:01 a.m.
it took a long time , looks much better , thank you
impsterboy
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 10:50 p.m.
Yes, where is the photo? I've been following this situation for some time, and paint on the building's exterior is significant news. For Depot Town, and Ypsilanti. A photo is half the story.
yohyohy?
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 9:24 p.m.
I am kind of disappointed there is no picture with this story. A picture is worth a 1000 words.
eastsidemom
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 1:04 p.m.
really!