The Bunker

This is an excerpt from the May 1990 YHF newsletter. A variation of this tour appeared in the August edition, distributed during the Heritage Festival.

FUN WALKING TOUR OF DOWNTOWN RECOMMENDED NOW!


Not so long ago, everything seemed to be happening all around downtown, while the downtown itself stood relatively idle. Now the scene has changed, and downtown is where you’ll find the action. In fact, we suggest you stir your stumps and take a walking tour of Ypsilanti’s NEW historic downtown.


Some highlights;


1. The Eastern Deli: just east of Brooks’ IGA and the laundromat. Expected market: EMU’s College of Business, opening in September — but why wait to try it?
2. EMU College of Business: the grounded nun, as someone have called it, capped with its great white brim; now silver tile are covering one of the great bays. What next?

3. Maria’s Yogurt: Watch for it at the NE corner of W. Michigan and Adams — a deli and frozen yogurt shop.
4. Tom Sachler’s renovation of the old Weurth building across from the fountain: stand by the fountain and look closely at what’s going on and note the red sandstone cornerstones at the top: quite impressive!

5. The facade and renovation at T. C. Speakeasy’s, next to Louis’ Cafe. This is the long—awaited removal of grillwork, the last eyesore on that side of the street in that block: feast your eyes on what a superb job they’ve done.
6. Louis’ Cafe itself, for good food and the charm of an old English interior, newly decorated.

7. Ralph Ellis’ facade work, in progress at 116 W. Michigan, next to his bike shop.
8. Then wander into Max’s Restaurant & Catering, at 6 West Michigan (just east of Haab’s). There you’ll find that owners Joe and Diane Mikulec have created a Gallery of Old Ypsilanti photographs, beautifully reproduced and box—framed on clean white walls, a real treat whether or not you stay to enjoy the ALWAYS fresh food (sandwiches, cole slaw, soups — yummm!)

9. Materials Unlimited is just next door, the site of our last great Foundation meeting, thanks to the owners. There’s nothing like lingering over a great collection of architecturals and antiques.
10. Then you could pop down into Riverside Park, via the entry just west of Max’s, for a wander — and up behind the Ladies’ Library, with its hanging garden, and head south on N. Huron, observing on the way . . .

11. The Oscar Haab Health Center: THE MOST PERFECT in-fill in a Historic District in every way: size, materials, design. Look! Look closely — and at its relationship to its neighbors. And remember: it was back when the buildings that filled that now long—barren lot were torn down that the present preservation movement really began in Ypsilanti. That movement has led to the establishment of our Historic District and the strong commitment to preservation that has become the backbone of this community. Now Ypsilanti is gaining a reputation for having more historical integrity than most of its neighbors. Smile. Look up that street, one of the great sweeps of historic architecture in the Midwest - and smile!
12. Turn the corner onto Pearl and observe what’s still going on at 108 & 110, where the Maxtons are doing a super quality job on what were two very sorry historic structures (one, at least, of great historic value - our G.A.R Hall).

13. If you haven’t seen the upstairs of the Phoenix Building on the SE corner of Pearl and Washington, do it now: just enter the stairway off Washington and do the tour: lots of activity going on up there in an historic atmosphere (you’ll love it). There is more——more new shops to look into——but that should give you a start. Again, take a nice morning, noon, or afternoon walk through downtown Ypsilanti; we think you’ll be pleased at the progress.