Big Strides at the Ruppe Building – Here’s What’s Next!

The following was prepared by the Bring Back Calumet Team on June 12, 2025

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We’re excited to share an important update on the Ruppe Building and the progress of the Bring Back Calumet Initiative. Thanks to your ongoing interest and support, we’re seeing real momentum in our efforts to stabilize and preserve this iconic piece of Calumet’s architectural and cultural heritage.

Phase I.a. – What We’ve Accomplished So Far:

  • Structural Shoring: 178 feet of the needed 296 feet of shoring has been installed (not including 28 feet of high scaffold shoring needed in the mezzanine).

  • Investment So Far: $46,958

  • Building Stability: The structure is now stable over 80–90% of its area!

  • Hazard Surveys: Lead and asbestos surveys are complete.

  • Interior Cleanout: Approximately 85% of the interior has been cleaned out — that’s 7 full dump trailers!

  • Community Support:

    • Calumet Township provided the trailer and handled the disposal of material.

    • Village of Laurium contributed use of a dumpster.

    • ROTC students put in 85.5 of the 176.5 total volunteer hours — including 18 students who gave their Saturday morning to the cause!

These efforts have laid the groundwork for the next critical steps in Phase I.b, which focuses on further stabilization and roof protection.

Phase I.b. – Where We’re Heading Next:

To continue safeguarding the building from further deterioration, we are planning the following:

  • Dry Out the Building:

    • Improve Roof Covering: Superior Polymer will be installing a silicone coating on the east end of the roof (approximately half of the surface) this summer. This will provide much-needed water protection. 

    • Increase Ventilation: Volunteers have installed additional airflow solutions to manage interior moisture.

  • Hazard Abatement and Structural Access:

    • Asbestos Abatement: In the basement boiler room to allow for upcoming shoring work.

  • Further Cleanouts (Volunteer Opportunities!):

    • Boiler rooms

    • Area under the first-floor office

    • Shelving along the back of the second floor, adjacent to a bearing wall

  • Construction Tasks (Contractor Needed):

    • Remove the collapsed mezzanine floor

    • Install scaffold shoring (searching for used scaffolding now)

    • Complete shoring posts in the southwest corner

    • Raise the roof with final vertical shoring to complete this phase of stabilization

Community Support and Fundraising Update:

  • Calumet Township provided the trailer and handled the disposal of 5 trailers.

  • Village of Laurium contributed use of a dumpster on 2 separate occasions.

  • ROTC students put in 85.5 of the 176.5 total volunteer hours — including 18 students who gave their Saturday morning to the cause!

  • Total Volunteer Labor: 176.5 hours of physical work logged so far!

  • Fundraising Progress: To date, we’ve raised $29,808 in donations from generous individuals, organizations, and community partners!

Donor Recognition:

  • Keystone Supporter ($10,000 and above):

    • The Maas Family

  • Cornerstone Partner ($5,000–$9,999):

    • Rebecca Hovis

    • Village of Calumet Downtown Development Authority

    • Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission

  • Community Builder ($1,000–$4,999):

    • Jeff Ratcliffe

  • Friends of the Ruppe ($250–$999):

    • Tom Tikkanen

  • Preservation Advocate ($1–$249):

    • Lorri Oikarinen

    • Kathryn Mace

    • Donna Trudell

    • Marcia Kearney

How You Can Help:

Donate Today! We’re making steady progress, but we’re not done yet. We need your continued support to complete Phase I and protect this vital part of Calumet’s story.

Together, we are not just saving a building, we are restoring hope, preserving history, and revitalizing our downtown.

With gratitude,
The Bring Back Calumet Team

Vienna Leonarduzzi