Posted October 23, 200618 yr Ypsilanti has 2 separate downtowns. The much bigger one is on Michigan Ave. but isn't in as good of shape and is more abandoned then Depot Town. "MICHIGAN CENTRAL FREIGHTHOUSE The Michigan Central Railroad (MCRR) came to Ypsilanti in 1838, transforming the farming community into a transportation center. This Italiante structure, built in 1878, increased the freight-handling capacity of the MCRR's Ypsilanti complex. Goods and produce were shipped across the U.S. and Canada. In 1979 the city acquired the building, opening it as a community center and farmers market the following year." All the plaques on the right have various historical information about the city.
October 23, 200618 yr ^I'm recognizing some things from your thread on Ypsilanti. The colorful row is unusually still very attrative despite any entablature/cornice treatment. Thanks for the pics!
October 24, 200618 yr Depot Town is actually quite quaint. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 4, 200718 yr The Thompson Block is being renovated. It will have 16 luxury lofts and retail. It should be completed by fall 2007.
January 5, 200718 yr Amtrak served Ypsilanti with a couple of its Chicago - Detroit trains, but discontinued service maybe 15 years ago or so. The interesting thing is that if the Ann Arbor - Detroit commuter rail service gets up and running, Ypsilanti will likely have a station stop on it. I can see the pace of development/development picking up if that happens. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 25, 200915 yr UGH. This is not what I wanted to see. But i saw the reports yesterday. I had such big dreams of this place; but such a small wallet to see them actually happen.
September 25, 200915 yr I can appreciate JCBeal's positivity despite this uhm......setback. ........Like the Broderick Tower in Detroit without all the fire.
September 26, 200915 yr Uh, no interior supports left at all? I suppose this will result in a knock down for structural issues alone? Zach, are you a railfanner as well?
September 27, 200915 yr Uh, no interior supports left at all? I suppose this will result in a knock down for structural issues alone? Zach, are you a railfanner as well? With the exception of the wood storefront columns, it's load bearing masonry construction. You technically don't need interior structural members to save the building, although I'm sure they provided some lateral stability as the building settled over a century. The problem is the exterior columns were so damaged in the fire, the facade is sagging in parts. I personally liked this building because I also like old brick buildings. But really it's not, and never was great architecturally. Just old. Very cheap construction and little embellishment for it's time. Notice how the front columns aren't even cast iron. At it's completion, I'm certain residents found it simple and plain (even for Depot Town). However, it's purpose is incredibly rich historically. I hope it does get rebuilt, and part of me thinks it wouldn't be all that difficult for the reasons above.
February 10, 201015 yr Uh, no interior supports left at all? I suppose this will result in a knock down for structural issues alone? Zach, are you a railfanner as well? Yes sir, sorry for the late response. Thompson Block photo update...
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