Amtrak is working with the city of Ypsilanti in hopes of constructing a new train station in Depot Town. This is the beginning of investments throughout the metropolitan area in 2020. The train stop/station is expected to help community members travel safely, increase economic prosperity in Washtenaw county and even help EMU students traveling to and from Detroit and Chicago especially.
The budget for the train station is set at $1.3 million. The city has taken out federal loans to meet this amount. A timeline for construction is yet to be confirmed as the city and Amtrak, a railroad passenger corporation that has worked with Ann Arbor for their transportation as well, continue their discussions.
Three years ago, discussions around ways to advance transportation in the community began between Mayor Bashert and other city representatives. After contacting Amtrak, Amtrak conducted a study looking into the outcomes of a train stop/station in Ypsilanti resulting in its construction becoming a real possibility. Mayor Bashert also held community interest meetings and reached out to individuals to insure the community is interested in the project.
During the 1980s, there was a train station in the Ypsilanti from Amtrak. The trains as a mode of transportation began to become more and more obsolete. Ypsilanti discontinued its Amtrak service in 1985, rendering the old train station an inactive, historical landmark.
With the opening of new restaurants like Bobcat Bonnie’s or the beginning of recreational marijuana, and a possible train stop/station coming to Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti is ready to take lead within the tourist community according Mayor Bashert.
