As part of the agreement, DUSI and the city will dismiss their respective claims and counterclaims. DUSI will complete the agreed-upon remediation work within the attic space in accordance with applicable health and safety standards and with appropriate city oversight.
The baggage area at the center of the dispute has been released by DUSI to Durand Union Station Model Railroad Engineers Inc., which may use the location to house a new, free public exhibit featuring artifacts from the 1,700-piece John C. Loeding Collection. DUSI continues to support DUSMRE and recognizes the new exhibit as an opportunity to expand public access, strengthen the visitor experience and bring additional railroad-history programming to Durand Union Station.
An extremely generous endowment gift held at the Lapeer Community Foundation ensures that this collection is permanently funded for care, preservation and public display.
“This agreement opens a new chapter for Durand Union Station,” said Cameron Horvath, city manager, City of Durand. “With this resolution behind us, we can turn our full attention to what's next: a station that can welcome more visitors and serve this community for generations to come.” The agreement also clears the way for the city and DUSI to work together to install the previously proposed and grant-funded pedestrian crossing connecting downtown Durand to Durand Union Station.
The crossing project, initiated and led by DUSI, will improve safe and convenient public access between the station and the downtown business district, and both parties have committed to working collaboratively on the grant, design, access, maintenance and implementation terms necessary to advance the project. The city and DUSI share the goal of making the station more connected, more accessible and more fully integrated with downtown Durand, including for the nearly 12,000 passengers who use Durand Union Station annually for the Amtrak Blue Water passenger train service.
“DUSI remains committed to Durand Union Station and to the community that has supported us for so many years,” said Mary Warner-Stone, executive director, Durand Union Station Inc. “The depot is on the National Historic Registry with a worldwide following. For five decades, we have rallied volunteers and invested major time, care and resources into restoring the station. We exist to preserve our shared railroading history through expertly curated collections, expanded educational programming and public service.”
