It's more than a little unusual to see a check for $500,000 these days - especially coming into local coffers. But then, it's a little unusual to see Governor Jennifer Granholm, US Representative John Dingell and a host of other government officials in a freight house. On Friday morning, however, the check, the dignitaries and more than a hundred others were on hand to acknowledge receipt of  $500,000 from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help restore the historic Ypsilanti Freighthouse located in Depot Town.     

According to Bonnie Penet, Friends of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse (FOYF) Co-Chair, the project will include major structural improvements to the foundation, floors, walls, roof and interior mechanical systems. These items, outlined in a Conditional Assessment Report, are required to re-open the 1878 facility, which is planned to serve as a community center, farmers market, cafe and education center.

Both Governor Granholm and Congressman Dingell thanked the leadership from the nation's new Administration, the national and local legislators as well as the grassroots advocates - like the members of FOYF - who helped the funding become a reality.

Representative Dingell reminisced about a "heck of a party" he and his wife Debbie hosted in the Freighthouse years ago, and looked forward to seeing the building become a new educational and entertainment hub for the Ypsilanti community again.

State of Michigan Representatives Pam Byrnes, Alma Wheeler Smith and City of Ypsilanti Mayor Paul Schreiber joined the Governor and Rep. Dingell along with FOYF co-chairs Penet and Nathalie Edmunds. The audience included many happy local officials including Washtenaw County Chair and Vice-chair of the Board of Commissioners Rolland Sizemore, Jr. and Mark Ouimet.

According to the FOYF business plan, the stimulus money will help allow the Freighthouse to open for business by April of 2010.