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

The Niles City Council moved 8-0 to allow for a Patronicity campaign to raise funds for the Ferry Street School Park project. A fire in May 2023 destroyed the majority of the structure with only the façade of the original school building being saved.  Ownership of the property was transferred back to the City of Niles in November 2024.

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 the structure and create a community gathering location. 

To fund construction of the park, the History Center Director will use the crowd-funding platform Patronicity. If the campaign goal is met, Patronicity offers a matching grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

The History Center Director successfully used Patronicity in 2019 to raise funds for the Chapin Mansion Accessibility project.

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. 

In September 2023, FSRC moved to its new location at 317 N. 7th St. – across the street from the site of Ferry Street School.

In further business, council:

• Renewed an agreement for information security services from Wazuh Security Service for three years with an annual cost of $10,875.60.
• Approved the purchase of a hot-water pressure washer for the Utility Service Center wash bay from T. George Podell of South Bend, Indiana for $9,210 including delivery and installation.
• Accepted the bid of $18,200 from Precision Electric Inc. of Mishawaka, Indiana for the purchase and installation of 30hp motor soft starters to reduce equipment damage and personnel expenses at the Wastewater Treatment Plan.
• Approvex the purchase of 4,014 feet of wire for use by the Electric Division from Border States of Lansing, Michigan for $8,595.18.
• Approved a resolution supporting the application for a Michigan State Historic Preservation Office Certified Local Government in the amount of $35,000 for the History Center restroom accessibility project.
• Approving the proposal for historic preservation painting services by Double M Painting Services of Dowagiac, Michigan with the $8,568, with the expense being paid for by a private grant.
• Approved the estimated $2,781 repair of the drive on vehicle lift at Dial-a-Ride by All Automotive Equipment, Inc of Nunica, Michigan.
• Approved the purchase of 1.37 acres of wetland credits from the St. Joseph II Wetland Mitigation Bank through Crandell Environmental of Charlotte, Michigan at a cost of $150,700 to close out the Pucker Street Dam removal project.
• Approved the Utilities Department’s Renewable Energy Plan and approved the Michigan Public Power Agency to file the plan with the Michigan Public Service Commission as required by PA 235 of 2023.
• Approved overhead electric lines with underground lines in the Ballard Hills service area to improve reliability and reduce future maintenance costs the project is estimated to cost $86,723.40.
• Approved the appointment of Catherine Waggoner to a five-year term on the Niles Housing Commission.
• Approved the appointment of Jennifer Scally to a three-year term on the Niles Planning Commission.
• Approved the reappointment of Christina Arseneau, Jamie Bennett and Mollie Kruck to a three-year term on the Fort St. Joseph Archaeology Advisory Committee.