Facility will serve Northport, Omena and Leelanau Twp.

An old potato warehouse most recently used as an exhibition hall for the Northport Sesquicentennial will serve as a visitor center this summer.

TOM GALLERY works on the new visitor center in Northport, which was a former potato warehouse (below) last used as an exhibition hall for the Northport Sesquicentennial in 1999.

Tom Gallery of Leelanau Township is leading the effort, with no funding from the village or township. All money for the project will come from donated labor and materials.

An open house marking the introduction of the facility was scheduled at the warehouse, which is located at Second and Rose streets, from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 2.

The structure will serve as a central location for the dissemination of information relating to Northport, Omena and Leelanau Township.

“The goal is to offer well-organized literature so a visitor can quickly and easily discover the many activities and facilities in the area,” Gallery said, estimating the cost to spruce up the building with paint and floor refinishing, purchasing literature stands and establishing permanent displays at between $700 and $2,200.

The center is also located adjacent to the new public restroom facilities, with running water, that is scheduled to be connected to the new municipal water system later this summer.

No structural changes are needed to the building. The 19-by-21-foot west section of the building will serve as the main entrance and will house permanent displays of community events, organizations, projects, photographs, maps and other materials. In the future, plans include a multimedia center where a visitor could access and print information electronically.

The central section of the building, a 13-by-14-foot area, will be the main literature room with four to six book stands. A 19-by-22-foot area, nearest the bay, will be for future use.

Volunteers have come forward but more are needed to staff the center, scheduled to be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

The building, used as an exhibition hall during the 1999 Sesquicentennial, was purchased using grant funds issued by the Michigan Waterways Commission. Special approval was granted for the use, though a later proposal to use the building as a museum was turned down by state officials who stated the use must be “recreational” in nature.

The visitor center now falls within the state definition of an allowed recreational use of the structure.
Gallery’s proposal received a nod of approval from both the Village Council and Planning Commission last month.

Those interested in volunteering may contact Gallery at 386-7369 or via email at tgallery46@aol.com, or Shelley Lavey at mlavey53@aol.com.