Crowdfunding campaign launched for Durand’s Union Station Campus

$25,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – The city of Durand will transform an underused space at Durand Union Station into a green space and picnic area to create a campus at the “Queen of the Rails” through a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and local nonprofit Durand Union Station Inc. announced today. The campaign is being offered through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $25,000 by September 13, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/depot.

“The creation of a campus at Durand Union Station will create a wonderful gathering space for the area,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Katharine Czarnecki. “We are pleased to provide resources for this project through our Public Spaces Community Places program."

Durand Union Station has seen the rise, fall and rebirth of the railroad industry in Michigan. It is the icon of Durand, and the key link to its railroading heritage. Funds raised will create a green space for community and visitors to use as a walking and picnic area, while enjoying a view of the station and train watching. This project will expand on the existing parks concept the city has built at Railroad Street. It ties directly into the strategy to design a green corridor along the rail lines.

“Durand Union Station Inc has dedicated itself over the last 34 years to the restoration and preservation of the Durand Union Station. This matching grant with the MEDC will allow DUSI to move forward with making the campus more attractive and usable to the public,” said Mary Warner-Stone, executive director of Durand Union Station Inc. “Having the funds to clean up invasive weeds and provide green space for train watching and picnicking will continue to make Durand Union Station an attractive destination for our community and vacationers alike.”

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, in which residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

“Activating public spaces with engaging amenities and activities is key to great placemaking,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and executive director of the Michigan Municipal League. “With the backdrop of the railroad and Durand’s iconic Union Station, this space will attract local families, visitors and train aficionados.”

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of July 12, 2019, MEDC has provided more than $6.6 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 218 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $7.8 million raised from 40,529 individual donors.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.