Today:

TOP JOBS CENTRAL PROCESSOR: Full time with benefits. Loan processing experience. Knowledge of home ... **FITNESS** Fast Growing Industry! Flexible Hrs. Unlimited Income Potential. Exp.FT & PT, ...  [ View All Top Jobs ] TOP AUTOS  [ View All Top Autos ] TOP HOMES $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Your Tax Rebate= HOME OWNERSHIP! From $688 per mo! 3 bdrm. 2 bath up to 1... Woodhaven OPEN HOUSE Sunday 1-3 pm 26691 Kirkway Cir $149,900 1600+ sf 3/2.5 2 car garage ...  [View All Top Homes ] TOP RENTALS ALLEN PARK 1.5 bath., C/A, 3 bdrm., fenced yard, bsmt., 2 garage, $950 /mo. 313-388-1627 GIBRALTAR 2 bdrm. upper condo, Refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, washer/dryer, central ...  [ View All Top Rentals ] TOP MERCHANDISE CHELSEA- ESTAE SALE of Jane Freeman, May 9 & 10, 9-4. Inverness Country Club 13893 N. Terr... MOOM MAGICK Herbs, Handmade Herbal soaps, Crystals, Oils, Candles, Pagan Books 4780 E. M-3...  [ View All Top MDSE ]   View Classifieds   Submit a TopAd        or call 1-877-888-3202

	The Ypsilanti Courier A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Officials studying new train depot

Railway would connect Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor to Detroit areas

By Dan DuChene, Staff Writer

PUBLISHED: March 22, 2007

Almost 170 years after the first train rolled through Ypsilanti's Depot Town, city officials are studying the possibility of reprising the old stop.

Advertisement

"I think that would be great for our city," said Ypsilanti Mayor Paul Schreiber. "It would put the depot back in Depot Town."

Schreiber announced he had signed a letter of support for the idea to have an Amtrak stop placed in the area for a commuter rail during last week's City Council meeting.

The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments is working with Amtrak to research the opportunity for a commuter railway that would connect Ann Arbor to Detroit, said Brian Vosburg, director of Ypsilanti's Downtown and Depot Town Development Authorities.

He said he had met with representatives from Amtrak, SEMCOG, Sen. Debbie Stabenow's office and Richard Murphy, an Ypsilanti city planner, to research the prospects of a stop in Depot Town. He said the group had determined, in February, the existing unoccupied depot along the tracks would work best for what is needed.

"When it will happen, we don't know yet," Vosburg said. "There is a commitment to make it happen."

The effort is called the Ann Arbor to Detroit Rapid Transit Study.

SEMCOG official Carmine Palombo, director of transportation studies, is heavily involved in the planning for the railway project. He said the group has been working on the project for about a year and a half. The idea, he said, came about to give commuters more options when traveling to Detroit or Detroit-Metro Airport.

"We're one of the largest urban areas in country that doesn't have any form of fixed rail transit in the area at all," Palombo said.

"I have received a lot of letters of support," he said, "We're looking at this seriously."

The train would be diesel powered, and would run frequently with stops in Dearborn, Ypsilanti and Detroit-Metro Airport. Palombo said the plan is to connect the rail to any existing regional transportation studies, which might not require laying any new track.

"The plan is still in a very early stage."

Palombo said he is aware the Depot building is owned by Ben Dahlmann, but he has not contacted Dahlmann about the idea yet.

Dahlmann, vice president of Dahlmann Properties, had no comment about the study.

"It's the best ting that could possibly happen," said Linda French, owner of Depot Town's Sidetrack.

"I think this will be a motivating factor. All you can do is cross your fingers."

Palombo said there are many steps left in the study, but he hopes to see the rail-way complete, "as soon as humanly possible."