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NILES — The former site of Ferry Street School could soon receive a new lease on life.

The Niles City Council moved 7-1 to accept the quit claim deed for the former Ferry Street School property from Ferry Street Resource Center.

The property where the historic Ferry Street School stood – now just a façade – was owned by Niles Community Schools. This property was donated to the City of Niles and was later donated to the Ferry Street Resource Center with the condition of the historic classroom being maintained and available to the Niles History Center and the Public. 

Constructed in 1867 at a cost of nearly $3,000, the Ferry Street School opened in January 1868 as Niles’s school for “colored children.” In 1870, the Niles school system was integrated, and the facility closed. It reopened as an integrated school in 1873, with the west wing added in 1903. From 1956 to 1975 the School for Exceptional Children was located here. In 1975, concerned citizens began restoring the original building to its nineteenth century style. 

Nineteenth century one-room schools in this community typically contained a woodburning stove, woodbox, water bench, coat pegs, wooden blackboards and long rows of desks. One teacher often taught two grades. Lessons were in reading, writing, spelling, numbers, declamation and geography. The building received a historical marker in 1980 from the state’s Michigan History Division.

For several years, the building was home to the Ferry Street Resource Center, which assists area residents in securing resources and to provide educational and life-enrichment programs and activities, with a goal of bridging existing educational, cultural and societal gaps that exist within the community. 

A fire destroyed the majority of the structure with only the façade of the original school building being saved. 

The façade was saved with the goal of preserving the remaining piece and incorporating it into a public space to memorialize the historic significance of this structure and create a community gathering location. 

The Council previously approved funds to preserve the remaining structure in its current form and approved fundraising for the completion of the public space. Fundraising has not previously taken place because the City did not control the property. Long-term structure maintenance and grounds maintenance will be the responsibility of the City.

Fourth Ward Councilmember Michael Thompson cast the dissenting vote, stating that the property will be the city’s “money pit” as far as maintaining the property until a decision is made regarding its future.

“They got an insurance payout when the thing burned down right,” Thompson said prior to the agenda item passing. “Why are we stuck with having to maintain this when they’ve been paid to take care of this?”

“We aren’t stuck with maintaining it,” said Mayor Nick Shelton in response. “We get to choose whether we want to make it city property or not.”

The Ferry Street Resource Board approved the quit claim deed transferring ownership back to the City of Niles to facilitate fund raising and preservation.

“By approving the deed transfer for this area, I can move forward with plans to raise funds to create Ferry Street School Park, a memorial for the school with the potential to educate more about this important chapter in our history,” said Niles History Executive Director Steve Arseneau.

In other business, council:

• Approved the renewal of the airport ground lease with James L. Martin of South Bend, Indiana for a five-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2029.
• Approved the renewal of the airport ground lease with Harold E. Brown, MD of Niles for a five year term expiring Dec. 31, 2029.
• Approved the renewal of the airport ground lease with Kenneth J. Kasner, of Edwardsburg for a five year term expiring Dec. 31, 2029.
• Approved the renewal of the airport ground lease with Garrott W. Elghammer, of Niles for a five year term expiring Dec. 31, 2029.
• Entered into a contract with Niles Public Schools for use of the Apple Festival Grounds for the 2025 Fourth of July Fireworks.
• Authorized the Utilities Department to purchase two data routers and accessories from Perceptive Controls, Inc. of Plainwell, Michigan in the amount of $3,976 for use by the Water Division, and charge the expense to their computer equipment and supplies budget.
• Authorized the city to purchase wireless communication services from Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless under contract through Michigan MiDeal, charge the expenses appropriately to the various departments.
• Accepted the quote in the amount of $26,682.03 from SHI International Corp of Somerset, New Jersey for the VPN, charging the expense to the General Fund and Utilities Department Computer Equipment and Supplies budgets.
• Accepted the quote in the amount of $73,200 from SHI International Corp of Somerset, New Jersey for a three year renewal of the computer security services contract, share the expense 60 percent to the General Fund and 40 percent to the Utilities, Computer and Equipment Supplies.
• Authorized the renewal of the annual maintenance subscription for the software modules from BS&A Software of Bath, Michigan, at a cost of $5,027, charging the expense to the Assessor’s Office and Fire Department’s Building Division.
• Authorized the emergency repair to the Service Center access control system at a cost of $6,200 from FSS Technologies, LLC of Ypsilanti, Michigan and charged the expense to the Utilities Department Water and Electric Divisions.
• Authorized the purchase of three hot dipped galvanized aeration basin air drops at a cost of $9,983 from Fab-N-Weld of Berrien Springs, Michigan for use at the Waste Water Treatment Plant and charge the expense to the Utilities Department Wastewater Division, Machinery and Equipment – Old.
• Authorized the Utilities Department to extend the Mowing and Grounds Maintenance contract with MAAC Property Services of Niles, Michigan in the amount of $28,200, charging the expense to the respective properties.
• Authorized the Utilities Department to rent a hydro excavation unit for a third year from MacAllister Machinery Company, Inc. of Novi, Michigan under the Michigan MiDeal pricing of $164,400, charge the expense to the Water Division.
• Approved the emergency purchase in the amount of $11,250 from FSS Technologies, LLC of Ypsilanti, Michigan by the Utilities Department for upgrades to their fire and security alarm system at the Walter Filtration Plant with the expense being charged to the Water Division – Assets category.
• Accepted the quote in the amount of $18,534.24 from SiteOne Landscaping Supply of South Bend, Indiana for DuraEdge infield mix and DuraEdge topdressing for use at the Tyler Fields softball complex and pay for it from the dedicated cash maintenance account for Tyler Fields.
• Awarded a CDBG Home Repair Program contract in the amount of $10,691 to Airlux of Niles for the replacement of the HVAC system at 460 S. St. Joseph, Niles, MI with the expense being paid for by area foundations.
• Awarded a CDBG Home Repair Program contract to Future Construction of Watervliet, Michigan in the amount of $12,500 for the replacement of the roof at 1340 Oak St., Niles, with the expense being paid for by area foundations.
• Authorized the purchase of office furniture from Michigan Office Environments of Kalamazoo, Michigan at a MiDeal contract price of $7,408.24 for the Finance Department with the cost shared between the Utility Department and the General Fund.