Historic Depot Town Welcome Sign Restoration

Where will your project take place?

Ypsilanti, MI

Briefly Describe Your Project Idea:

The Historic Depot Town Welcome Sign was originally installed at 19 E Cross in the 1980’s but has since slowly deteriorated and we hope to restore it.. It features prominently from many views headed eastward into Depot Town and is located on the corner of Cross St and Rice St.

Why does your community need this project?

The community needs this project because of its important symbolism, historic character, and creative opportunities afforded to local artists. There will be artist workshops at the adjacent Ypsilanti Freighthouse (100 Market Pl Ypsilanti MI 48198) on August 4th hosted by First Fridays coinciding with the unveiling of the restored mural. Many community members and business owners who were present when the sign was originally installed will be present and active contributors to the project by hosting live entertainment and arts for their customers and visitors to Depot Town that day. The project helps connect our present and past, while celebrative the vibrant creative and artistic community that calls Ypsilanti home. Over the last 5-10 years there has been a resurgence of the arts and economy in our historic commercial places like Depot Town and this project is a capstone to that work. First Fridays and the Downtown Development Authority will prioritize local artists and diverse representation across racial, generational, and cultural demographics. The community needs this project because of the opportunities it will provide to local artists, the historic value of the restoration project, and the benefits it provides local businesses as venues by drawing visitors to Depot Town.

What do you hope to achieve through this project?

We hope to achieve several goals through this project.

1. To restore the Historic Depot Town Welcome Sign
2. To leverage the arts and creative community to support local participating business venues during the unveiling on August 4th
3. To engage the public in arts and creative opportunities that build bridge across generational, racial, cultural, economic demographics.
4. To continue building the network of public art opportunities that give character to Depot Town.