Project Status

 Straits Cultural Center Project Timeline

• January 2024: MHS Board of Directors approved a contract with the firm Serenus Johnson for work on the SCC. The general contractor proposed a phased project, allowing work to begin with funds on hand.

• 2022-23: Construction and design costs were significantly affected by the pandemic delay and associated inflation.

• 2021-22: Ramped up efforts to finish funding and set new construction date targets.

• Pandemic circumstances halted fundraising and construction.

• Original plan was to begin construction in 2019 and open in 2020.

• Exterior painting complete. Fully funded.

• Building interior demolition complete. Full funded.

• Environmental remediation. Fully funded.

• Split Rock Studios design firm retained through competitive bidding for design, creation, and installation of all design and interpretive elements. Funding in place to fully fund design and installation.

• 2018-20: WTA Architects retained through competitive bidding. Services fully funded.

• Environmental assessment of the building. Fully funded.

• 2016-17: Acquired 20 S. State Street property, formerly the Walker Furniture Building. Purchase price fully funded.

Straits Cultural Center Project Status

Over the course of the campaign, MHS has received funding from the St. Ignace Downtown Development Authority, Mackinac County, State of Michigan, Michigan Arts and Culture Council, National Endowment for the Humanities, Michigan Nonprofit Association, Congressionally Directed Spending Award, and private donors, including one $1 million from a local anonymous donor.

Michilimackinac Historical Society has completely funded all preliminary work for construction of the Straits Cultural Center and has funding on hand to start work. The current project investment is $2.5 million. Our goal now is to finish funding for interior construction: new electrical wiring, entry service, new plumbing and fixtures, HVAC, new interior walls and ceiling, flooring, insulation, new windows, all interior rooms, wall finishes, and support systems for fabricated exhibit design modules.

MHS has funding in the amount of $1.1 million to begin construction, this includes the Congressional Directed Spending Award. In February 2023, our estimated cost to finish the project was $2.5 million. Inflation in 2023 increased costs to $3.3 million.

MHS needs final funding in the amount of $2.1 million MINIMUM to finish construction. The approved construction contract with Serenus Johnson Construction is for $3.3 million. Note: Several local, St. Ignace sub-contractors will work with Serenus Johnson on the SCC.

A phased construction project will begin in March of 2024.