St. Ignace Transportation Museum Committee Seeks Federal Funding
By Karen Gould

Acommitment for federal funding for a transportation museum in St. Ignace could be received as early as April, depending on support received during the public hearing process, the backing of the city council, and the completion of the grant application and its review by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).

City leaders say the museum, which would house artifacts from car ferries, railroads, and the Mackinac Bridge, would reflect the history of the area and draw tourists.

Meeting for the first time February 18, an advisory committee began exploring the possibility of operating a transportation museum in St. Ignace. The group plans to present estimated costs to run the facility to the city council and hold a public hearing on the proposed project within the next month.

If documents reach Lansing in time, MDOT could consider the funding request in March. Otherwise, the next transportation enhancement grant review meeting is in June. The grant would cover all costs to establish and develop the museum and would require the city's commitment to manage and operate the facility.

Committee members discussed possibilities of how the city could cover the cost to operate the museum, aside from charging an entrance fee, and considered creating a support group and a foundation and asking for an annual Downtown Development Authority (DDA) subsidy from existing tax dollars.

Establishing a support organization like Mackinac Associates, suggested committee member Ollie Boynton, would help fund the museum. Mackinac Associates is a nonprofit friends group that supports Mackinac State Historic Parks. The group raises about $200,000 a year through membership dues, appeals, and fundraising events.

City Manager Eric Dodson said he would look into establishing a foundation with organizations that contributed the Mackinac Bridge 50th anniversary last summer.

Mr. Dodson also agreed to contact the Manitowoc Maritime Museum in Wisconsin to get cost estimates on refurbishing the Chief Wawatam bow engine, which that museum has on display. The city recently acquired one of two stern steam engines from the vessel. Scheduled to arrive in St. Ignace in April, it is one of the artifacts the city would like to house in the museum.

Mr. Dodson will work with DDA Director Deb Evashevski to estimate the cost to operate the museum. They agreed the Museum of Ojibwa Culture, which the city operates, would be a good reference for utilities and wages. The DDA subsidizes that museum with $30,000 annually.

"I would love this museum," Mrs. Evashevski said of the proposed transportation museum. "I think it would be very important to the city, but I think we have to get public input and figure some things out, see where city council stands, and see where the community stands."

Reducing the city's tax base may raise some concerns for citizens, said city councilman and committee member Don Gustafson, and the city's budget also has to be considered.

"The only criticism you could possibly receive from the public during the acquisition and development stage would be that you're taking another piece of property off the tax rolls," he said. "Financially, we have to make sure it does not become a burden."

Establishing the museum would have a positive impact on the city, said Mayor Paul Grondin.

"I would go so far as to say, speaking for my other colleagues, Council is definitely behind this project," he said, although concerns are finding the financing. "I think it's possible to do. How are we going to do it? I can't answer that question, but I think it is something we have to do. It's a beautiful opportunity."

Mr. Gustafson agreed.

"I think we should continue pursuing the chance, because you don't have this chance very often."

Sparked by the success of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Mackinac Bridge last summer, the DDA agreed in August 2007 to work with MDOT on the project, and that Mrs. Evashevski would apply for the grant.

Federal funds have not been committed to the project yet, Matt Wiitala of the MDOT office of economic development told The St. Ignace News, Friday, February 22. He has been working with Mrs. Evashevski and is awaiting the enhancement fund grant application. The project, he said, meets guidelines to receive funding.

"We're committed to working with the city on this project, but we have no application where we could make a financial commitment," said Mr. Wiitala. "That's not to say we won't, we're just too early in the process."

Money to establish a museum would come from federal transportation funds administered by MDOT. The federal government, said Mr. Wiitala, specifically sets aside 10% of highway funds for non-motorized projects, including the development of trails and transportation museums. Categories eligible for enhancement grant funding include historic preservation, historic transportation facilities, and transportation museums.

The two-tier process includes a conditional commitment, which is a place holder for funding, although no money is awarded. The second tier is the formal award of the funding, said Mr. Wiitala, which takes place when all the grant conditions are met. This phase is formal authorization to proceed with the project. All projects also have to be approved by the Federal Highway Administration, which makes sure they meet all federal guidelines.

"We encourage applicants to think a year or two in advance," he said.

Historical preservation is another aspect of the grant review.

The grant program favors refurbishing historic buildings that were connected to transportation, instead of putting funds into new building construction. Sigrid Bergland is an historian with MDOT and provides historical preservation technical support for the program.

"We focus primarily on existing buildings," she said, "because there are so many and we are trying to save as many as we can, rather than putting money into new construction."

Ms. Bergland reviews grant applications to make sure laws and standards are followed. Of interest in her review, she said, is if a community is working with an historic architect.

Many times, she said, communities are not aware of the Secretary of Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, which must be incorporated into the grant application. She also works with historical architect Robert McKay of the State Historic Preservation Office, to see if a project complies with national historic standards.

Several St. Ignace buildings are under consideration by the city for the museum site, including the Mulcrone building that most recently held the food pantry and bus depot. The building on Mc- Cann Street borders State Street across from the old railroad dock and St. Ignace boardwalk.

When considering grants, MDOT looks for projects that include the preservation of buildings that are historically connected

transportation. The Mulcrone building was constructed in 1923 to be used as a Packard automobile dealership. Years later, the building served as a warehouse for food, supplies, and parts used by the Chief Wawatam railroad car ferry.

The 80-foot by 125-foot Mulcrone building was assessed by MDOT in January. The review indicated a concern that the roof supports were not adequate, she said, and that would be taken into consideration if plans progress.

The advisory committee agreed to ask city council at its March 3 meeting to set a public hearing date as early as possible.

Committee members include DDA board member Don Schairer, Mackinac Bridge Executive Secretary Bob Sweeney, St. Ignace resident Ollie Boynton, Mayor Paul Grondin, and City Councilman Don Gustafson. Mrs. Evashevski and Mr. Dodson are ex officio members.