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Depot Town Businesses Hopeful for Thompson Block Redevelopment

Bob Eccles

Businesses in Ypsilanti's Depot Town are looking forward to something happening with the Thompson Block, but opinions vary on what should happen to the former Civil War barracks and adjoining properties.

Aubree's manager Stacy Shultz says it would be nice to see renovation of the Thompson Block move forward. "We need change," she says.  "Bringing new stuff to the area is always good."

Ryan Glowacki at Harvest Kitchen says it might be better to tear down the building and sell the bricks, and others question whether Depot Town needs more retail space with several storefronts sitting vacant.

Ypsilanti City Council is considering a 12-year tax abatement to help move the renovation of the Thompson Block forward, with a public hearing on the proposal to continue at council's March 18th meeting.

Bob Eccles is the Ypsilanti beat reporter, and host of All Things Considered for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him reccles@emich.edu. @BobEcclesWEMU on twitter