April 24, 2009 -- Work by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Arenac Heritage Route Authority to preserve the historic Standish Depot is being recognized by the Michigan Historic Preservation Network (MHPN). The MHPN will present the project with its 2009 Building Award May 15 at its annual awards ceremony and reception in Grand Rapids.
The work on the depot property included constructing a restroom facility and a static rail car display, along with the rehabilitation of the existing depot building, landscaping, installing decorative lighting, relaying brick walkways, and adding parking facilities.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since February 1991, the Standish Depot was constructed in 1889 after farmers from the surrounding area provided stones for the exterior of the building. This former train depot, located in Arenac County at the northwest corner of US-23 and M-61 in Standish, sits at the intersection of two state trunklines.
In March 2006, Gov. Granholm announced more than $20 million in federal Transportation Enhancement funding for 37 projects in 25 Michigan counties, including the rehabilitation of the Standish Depot, now known as the Standish Historical Depot Welcome Center.
Total investments for improvements on the depot and adjoining property exceed $1.5 million and include $816,400 in federal funds, $204,100 in matching funds from MDOT, and $525,000 in local and private funding from a host of contributing partners.
For more information regarding the history of the Standish Depot preservation project, visit MDOT's Web site at www.michigan.gov/mdot.
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