When will the Campaign-funded Fishtown site projects begin?
Fishtown Preservation is waiting for the permits required before work can begin in Fishtown. Permits are needed from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for projects where the land meets the water. Getting permits can be an arduous process, and also require reviews by the State Historic Preservation Office and local Tribal units of government. Because the needs of the Morris Shanty and Village Cheese Shanty are so critical, we have also submitted emergency permits for these two buildings.
Due to the permitting issues and available funding, at this time we are phasing the projects.
- Phase I — Pending permits, Phase I includes the Morris Shanty and Village Cheese Shanty and their adjacent docks, December 2019 – Spring 2020
- Phase II — Pending permits and funding, Phase II includes the Carlson Fishery, remaining docks on both sides of the river, W. River Street drainage, retaining wall, access issues and native plant landscaping, November 2020 – Spring 2021.
Why the Campaign for Fishtown?
The Campaign was created to raise the funds needed to repay the final installment of the debt incurred as part of the acquisition of the Fishtown properties in 2007, rehabilitate three shanties not dealt with in our prior shanty projects in 2014, and resolve critical infrastructure and other site issues.
First Campaign milestone – debt retirement in February 2019
Fishtown Preservation is proud to announce that, on February 7, 2019, we paid the final mortgage installment for Fishtown property. Thanks to the incredible support of our donors, Fishtown now belongs to everyone, free and clear.
Remaining goals – and the impact of high water
What lies ahead are the remaining goals of the Campaign: funding for the rehabilitation of the shanties, the resolution of infrastructure issues, and the installation of a new entryway and landscaping. Not surprisingly, in the last two years the required investment has increased. High Lake Michigan water levels and greater flow over the Leland Dam have revealed additional structural issues. The Fishtown docks require far more than a few new pilings—they need to be entirely replaced. The shanty foundations require more extensive foundation work than originally planned. Construction and materials costs continue to increase. And the need is more urgent than ever.
You can support The Campaign for Fishtown with:
- One-time gift of cash or securities
- Multi-year pledge forms:
– Campaign for Fishtown pledge form – payable by December 31, 2021 - For more information call Amanda Holmes at 231-256-8878 or email [email protected]
Thank You
Thank you to all who have contributed to the Campaign for Fishtown. Special thanks to those who helped us achieve the Jeffris Family Foundation challenge grant and the Anonymous Donor who helped inspire gifts. We are also grateful to the Consumers Energy Foundation for helping us reach this goal!