What’s happening: From the ashes of a devastating 2023 fire could soon rise a new community park in Niles. The southwestern Michigan city plans to utilize the lone remaining wall of its historic Ferry Street School to create a performance stage and gathering area that also shares the story of the building’s historic past.
What it is: The Ferry Street School was built in 1867 after the Colored Citizens of Niles organization petitioned City Council to build a school for area children otherwise shutout of a still-segregated school system. The one-room brick school served the local Black community until schools were integrated just a few years following its construction, eventually serving everyone in the neighborhood. It closed in 1975 and was eventually restored and preserved as a historic site until a May 2023 fire gutted the building save for its north facade.
What’s planned: The Ferry Street School Memorial Park will preserve the remaining brick facade, using it to frame a performance area with added benches for seating. The park will host community gatherings and events while interpretive signs share the school’s history.
How they’re doing it: The Ferry Street School Memorial Park project has been accepted into the state’s placemaking initiative Public Spaces Community Places, a joint effort from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity. As part of the initiative, organizers have launched a $15,000 crowdfunding campaign on the Michigan-based Patronicity platform. Should they successfully reach their goal by 11:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25, the MEDC will contribute a $15,000 matching grant to the project.
Learn more about the Ferry Street School Memorial Park project
on Patronicity.
Why it’s important: “Losing the Ferry Street School to a fire was devastating; building this park with the remaining façade will allow us to remember and honor this special place,” says Christina Arseneau, Niles History Center Director. “The park will continue the tradition of serving our community and we are fortunate to be able to utilize the Public Spaces Community Places program to create the new Ferry Street School Memorial Park.”
Got a development news story to share? Email MJ Galbraith here or send him a tweet @mikegalbraith.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.