July 19, 2007 - - Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Director Kirk T. Steudle will be the keynote speaker when MDOT hosts the official dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the newly rehabilitated, historic Standish Depot. Local representatives and community stakeholders also will be present during this event, which is scheduled to take place Tuesday, July 24, beginning at 2 p.m.
In March 2006, Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm announced more than $20 million in federal Transportation Enhancement funding was available for 37 projects in 25 Michigan counties, including the rehabilitation of the Standish Depot. Now known as the Standish Historical Depot Welcome Center, this former train depot is located in Arenac County at the northwest corner of US-23 and M-61 in Standish.
"Transportation Enhancement projects create environments that encourage economic growth and make communities more attractive to business investment and tourism, said MDOT Bay Region Engineer Terry Anderson. "Under federal law, 10 percent of surface transportation funds are set aside for enhancement projects."
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.
Because the depot is located at the intersection of two state trunklines, M-61 and US-23, community organizers from the Arenac County Economic Development and the Standish Depot Committee asked MDOT to partner in their effort to revitalize and turn the depot into a welcome center on the local heritage route.
"MDOT sponsored the Federal Enhancement grant application under the historic preservation category," said MDOT Bay City Transportation Service Center Manager Robert Ranck. "This project was an ideal candidate for the community."
Total investments for improvements to the depot and property exceed $1.5 million and include $816,400 in federal funds, $204,100 in matching funds from MDOT, as well as $525,000 in local and private funding from contributing partners.
"For many decades, the Standish Depot served the community as a transportation hub and a gathering space until the popularity of the automobile forced many railroad lines to close," said MDOT Historian Sigrid Bergland. "After many years under private ownership, it is very exciting to see the Standish Depot open to the public and so beautifully rehabilitated."
The work to renovate the depot included constructing a restroom facility and a static rail car display, along with the rehabilitation of the existing depot building. In addition, various project enhancements, including landscaping, decorative lighting, brick walkways, and parking facilities were also added.
"This transportation enhancement project was completed in cooperation with many local partners and stakeholders and was a huge success," said MDOT Cost and Scheduling Engineer and project manager Kimberly Zimmer.
Partnering organizations include the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), Federal Highway Administration, Arenac Heritage Route Authority, The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, Arenac County, city of Standish, city of AuGres, city of Omer, village of Sterling, Lincoln Township, Standish Township, Deep River Township, Arenac Township, Adams Township, Clayton Township, AuGres Township, Standish Downtown Development Authority, St. Mary's of Michigan - Standish Hospital, State of Michigan Historic Preservation Office, Arenac County Economic Development, The Standish Depot Preservation Committee, The Sunrise Side Coastal Heritage Route Management Committee, Lake State Railroad, The Arenac County Historical Society, The Disabled Veterans Association, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality-Remediation and Redevelopment Division, Wigen-Tincknell-Meyer, Rowe Inc., Surveying Solutions, Inc., Consumers Energy, AT&T, Porath Contractors, Inc., Advanced Underground Inspection, Alfonsi Railroad Construction, Katterman Trucking, P.K. Contracting, Ripke Construction Co., Saginaw Asphalt Paving Co., Schmuckal Concrete Water & Sewer, and Secret Garden Nursery & Landscaping.
For more information regarding the history of the Standish Depot and this rehabilitation project, visit MDOT's Web site at http://www.michigan.gov/mdot, then go to News & Information, then to History & Culture, then to Historic Architecture. You can also go directly to the Depot history and photo gallery.
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