Michigan Central Depot • Update - March 14, 2021

This is going to take a MONUMENTAL effort.

The building is laden with asbestos, lead, and other hazardous materials. Let alone water has been pouring in through the floors and its foundation for years.

The Detroit City Council has declared it to be torn down.

"In 2013, the Detroit City Council passed a resolution that ordered Moroun to destroy the landmark building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Morouns ignored the order.

The estimated cost to renovate the 18-story building is somewhere between $100 million to $300 million, Moroun officials have said in the past."

I don't think Ford knows the details if the building has some major structural issues or not. So the investigation continues.

The building has not only suffered from missing a roof but multiple fires have damaged it as well...

wow - a real temple of transportation.  hope Ford is selling a lot of SUV'S and pick-up trucks.  

Here are some videos of the site...

USPS actually renovated their distribution facility next door and its looking up to date.

Restoration on the building has started a few years back with replacing the windows...

Questions were asked 6 years ago on how would this building be use effectively today...

I'm all for preserving history but that needs to go away.  The cost would be prohibitive to bring this up to date.

Here is an informative video as well. A lot has already been restored in recent years.

I remember going to the station when I was young with my Dad to pick up family from Pittsburgh. If it comes back to even half of its former glory, it sure would be nice.

The one nice thing about FORD, being a large corporation, the tax write offs would offset a lot, and bringing back buildings of historical significance adds to their ties with the city. It would likely be a magnet for many industries looking for headquarters in the city, especially if Detroit had a plan for starting taxes low as industry returned and not choke the Golden Goose from the start. Baltimore did a lot of this type of rebuilding in their inner harbor years ago and reclaimed some of downtown, Detroit needs a boost and get back to being an industrial hub.

From

Ford pursues deal to buy, redevelop Michigan Central Station

By KIRK PINHO & CHAD LIVENGOOD  -  Crain's Detroit Business

• Sources: Automaker in talks with Morouns' Crown Enterprises over dilapidated Detroit building
• Ford has bought The Factory nearby to house about 200 employees
• Former train station has been empty for about three decades

Detroit radio stations are now reporting this story. Detroit's Mayor; Mike Duggan, may have a press conference. Took office 2014.

Gary - Rail-fanning from Detroit

The fact that this project is even being considered is an indication of what is going on in the City of Detroit.  Most folks not from SE Michigan don't really have any idea other than preconceived notions that really don't hold up today.  I'm hoping this happens, keeping some of the architecture from the last century alive is a good thing.

MichRR714 posted:

The fact that this project is even being considered is an indication of what is going on in the City of Detroit.  Most folks not from SE Michigan don't really have any idea other than preconceived notions that really don't hold up today.  I'm hoping this happens, keeping some of the architecture from the last century alive is a good thing.

 

I concur.   My niece plays softball for CMU up in Mt. Pleasant.   The couple times I've been out to visit, one of her teammates, from Detroit, would take us on little day trip tours around Detroit.   You are correct, what is still seen on media, is not a true picture of the revitalization going on.

Having grown up in Chicago, with relatives in Rochester, MI, Albion, MI, and Wooster, OH,  a lot of my youth was spent all over that part of the midwest.   I am excited to see this happening in Detroit.

trainroomgary posted:

From

Ford pursues deal to buy, redevelop Michigan Central Station

By KIRK PINHO & CHAD LIVENGOOD  -  Crain's Detroit Business

• Sources: Automaker in talks with Morouns' Crown Enterprises over dilapidated Detroit building
• Ford has bought The Factory nearby to house about 200 employees
• Former train station has been empty for about three decades

Detroit radio stations are now reporting this story. Detroit's Mayor; Mike Duggan, may have a press conference. Took office 2014.

Gary - Rail-fanning from Detroit

The building has a fence and razor wire around it.   

It is nice to see an interest in revitalization though remediation will likely be a monumental task.    Hopefully all sides can work together to make it happen. 

A News Report from WXYZ TV - Detroit, Michigan

Click Here

Still no deal...........

Gary: Rail-fanning from Detroit

I am glad to see Detroit coming back.  The last time I was there some 30 years ago it was a sad place.

NH Joe

MichRR714 posted:

The fact that this project is even being considered is an indication of what is going on in the City of Detroit.  Most folks not from SE Michigan don't really have any idea other than preconceived notions that really don't hold up today.  I'm hoping this happens, keeping some of the architecture from the last century alive is a good thing.

 

Completely true!  The city has a long way to go to become what it once was, but it angers me when I hear out of towners talk down the city even though they have never, or at least not recently, visited.  There's a lot of good going on in Detroit, often in small pockets.  The Redford Theatre where I volunteer is one such gem.  The immediate neighborhood has seen several small business start and grow, partially due to the theater.  A small bakery opened in one of our retail storefronts and quickly outgrew it.  They now own and operate their business in a larger building across the street and are always lined up with customers.  Other such things have happened nearby as well.

 Ford is currently putting a lot of money into redevelopment in Dearborn, MI as well with several large construction projects going on around the city.  They've even created office space in portions of the somewhat empty Fairlane Mall complex.  

trainroomgary posted:

The last time I took the Amtrak from this station was 1989 - 90.  

 

It closed in January, 1988.   

SantaFe158 posted 

It closed in January, 1988.   

Hi SantaFe158

At my age it is all about CRS

Can't Remember Stuff or Can't Remember xxxxx  -  Take your pick 

Thanks for the free information.

Gary: Still out rail-fanning, just south-west of the Redford Theater.

1989-90. that recent? LOL! I haven't been on a train to Detroit since 1965!!!! The NYC was still going strong that year. Glad to see Ford step up.

Billy C

Sent from my iPhone

March 21, 2018,  Detroit Free Press

Ford Motor Company: “We are planting a special piece of our company's future in one of the city's great neighborhoods, because we believe in Detroit, its people and what we can build together.…

To Learn More: Click here   •    Maybe we will get the Big News Today

Gary: Having my morning cup of coffee and reading the Detroit Free Press at my local Speedway.

PS: Earning points for my next free lunch or fuel discount. 

I visited the BiCentennial Freedom Train in the shadow of the depot, 1976

The continuing saga: Michigan Central Station

Will Michigan Central Station in Detroit Soon Find New Life with Ford?

March 21, 2018 • Source: Associated Press, Detroit Day Magazine, & Detroit Free Press

The hope for many is that the building can soon also represent Detroit’s revitalization. But this isn’t the first time we’ve heard about plans to redevelop the train station, and each time this seems to come up, disappointment always seems to follow. 

Eric Kehoe, board president of Preservation Detroit, which seeks to preserve Detroit’s architectural and cultural heritage, joins Detroit Today Magazine to talk about the importance for the train station. He says the station has a rich history.

As of 8: PM today, no news is good news. Still no deal. If anyone knows what is going on please post here. Looks like we may be going into a news blackout.

Gary: Rail-fanning in Detroit

March 22, 2018

The continuing saga: Michigan Central Station

On Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays I have home delivery for the Detroit Free Press.

The Detroit Free Press is covering this story above the fold along with a full page feature article. My recommendation is if you live in Michigan,  you may want to pick up a copy.

Below are photos sent from my iPhone.

Page: 8A

Gary: Rail-Fanning in Michigan

Gary,

   Lets hope Ford makes it happen, could help the economy big time in that area.

PCRR/Dave

March 25, 2018 - Sunday Detroit Free Press

The continuing saga: Michigan Central Station

The Detroit Free Press is covering the Michigan Central Station this Sunday with two stories. (1) The Moroun Family History, their company owns the Michigan Central Station along with the Ambassador Bridge.  This bridge connects  Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario - Canada. (2) “Ford buying old station a pivotal moment” • “Will it happen?

My recommendation is if you live in Michigan,  you may want to pick up a copy.

Below are photos sent from my iPhone

Gary: Rail-Fanning in Michigan on my second cup of coffee.......

The images are far too small to read anything. Why not just link us to the story in the paper instead of all the pictures and arrows, like this:

FORD MICHIGAN CENTRAL STATION STORY

MATTY MOROUN BRIDGE STORY

OGR Webmaster posted:

The images are far too small to read anything. Why not just link us to the story in the paper instead of all the pictures and arrows, like this:

FORD MICHIGAN CENTRAL STATION STORY

MATTY MOROUN BRIDGE STORY

The Detroit Free Press has two sides at their e-newspaper: Free side and paid side.  Your first link takes you to this story that is several days old.

The second link takes you to the Moroun Family History, now on the Free Side, as the day moves on the Detroit Free Press will move stories to the Free Side. Sometimes this process can take several days or not at all.  If they give the story to the Associated Press it will go from the Paid Side to the Free Side as soon as this process is complete.

The point of the thread was to get my fellow Michiganer's out to pick up a copy and for the rest to see what our News Paper looks like, other stories, advertising and all.  Yes I know it is unreadable, but still fun to get the flavor of a home town paper I subscribe to the paid said of the e-news paper.

Thanks for the suggestion: Gary  

OGR Webmaster posted:

The images are far too small to read anything. Why not just link us to the story in the paper instead of all the pictures and arrows, like this:

FORD MICHIGAN CENTRAL STATION STORY

MATTY MOROUN BRIDGE STORY

Agreed!  I read both of those articles for free on their app the same day they were published in the newspaper.  A couple of links is far more informative than a amateurish photoshop attempt. 

There have been sooooooo many proposed uses for this building over the years.

Thus I'll believe it when I see it!!

trainroomgary posted:

The point of the thread was to get my fellow Michiganer's out to pick up a copy and for the rest to see what our News Paper looks like, other stories, advertising and all.  Yes I know it is unreadable, but still fun to get the flavor of a home town paper I subscribe to the paid said of the e-news paper.

Actually, the point of this thread is the Michigan Central Station story and not an examination of newspaper layout techniques of the Detroit Free Press.  And the information is of no use to the rest of us if it is impossible to read.   Well-intended, though, I'm sure. Thanks to the Webmaster for the links.

March 26, 2018

The view of Michigan Central Station from Corktown, Detroit - Michigan.

The story:

Last week, news broke that Ford could be interested in a move into the long-vacant Michigan Central Station. What this could mean for the city in general is huge—the old train depot has long been a sign of the city’s decline. Add in up to 1,000 workers who could eat, play, shop, and likely live in the city instead of the suburbs, and this is a game changer.

Various outlets have started discussing the impact this move could mean to the city and the neighborhoods.

• Michigan Radio says, “It could be the biggest economic infusion in Detroit since mortgage king Dan Gilbert moved his first wave of employees here from Livonia.”
• Crain’s reports that the real estate market in Corktown is already starting to feel it, with cash offers on a group of three houses that have been up for sale for a while.
• The Detroit Free Press looked at multiple implications of the deal, including the city-owned land around Michigan Central Station, the hope of more transportation going into downtown, and possible community benefits that would be included.

Now that we’ve had some time to think about this, what do you think could happen to the surrounding areas? The nearby Book Depository has been mentioned as a building in the deal; we’d likely see something happen with the neighboring Roosevelt Hotel and CPA Building. Will development start moving west down Michigan Avenue toward Dearborn? Could more housing be built in North Corktown? Could prices rise even more in Southwest Detroit? What will this mean for those listing their homes in Corktown this spring?

Gary

The future of the automobile is slowly being unveiled in this latest purchase of the Michigan Central station.

No longer will you have a drivers license

No longer will you insure or purchase a vehicle

No longer will you need to maintain a vehicle or put gas in it

No longer will this vehicle pollute the environment and sit in a junk yard

A vehicle will be dispatched to your beckoning need from a Central command building via your phone App.

It will be cleaned, charged, and maintained by the manufacture...

Hmm... I would still like to drive a 56 Olds Holiday on the weekend though...

J Daddy posted:

The future of the automobile is slowly being unveiled in this latest purchase of the Michigan Central station.

No longer will you have a drivers license

No longer will you insure or purchase a vehicle

No longer will you need to maintain a vehicle or put gas in it

No longer will this vehicle pollute the environment and sit in a junk yard

A vehicle will be dispatched to your beckoning need from a Central command building via your phone App.

It will be cleaned, charged, and maintained by the manufacture...

Hmm... I would still like to drive a 56 Olds Holiday on the weekend though... 

NOT my future.  Some of us use our vehicles for jobs other than schlepping down to the local Starbucks for a crapacinno.  Until and unless this Brave New World locks us all up to be let out only if we properly obey our Masters, such a paradigm will not work.  The social change posited here is far more revolutionary than any political revolution ever attempted.

My vehicles have to haul and tow, and at my discretion, not that of some glorified taxi company.

J Daddy posted:

Here is an informative video as well. A lot has already been restored in recent years.

J Daddy,

 Thanks for the really nice clips of the central station taken with the drone as well as with your handheld video camera.  

 Though there has been a story in the newspaper regarding Ford's interest in this project,  it's interesting to note that Ford itself has not published anything relative to the rumor.  

 In your drone video you captured the sound of the morning freight as it was traveling along the tracks from the aerial position. Was the sound dubbed in during the aerial shot? 

Hi Kazar, 

I cannot take credit for this great video. It was published on You Tube by Motor City Photography.

I want to say yes, the sound is recorded as the drone was recording the action. A very well done video.

Motor City Photography cameo their videos on the rebirth of the Motor City.

Local Ford dealers are offering discounts up to 30% off MSRP for their vehicles. Either Ford is doing very well or very poorly.  Much as we'd like to see a renaissance in Detroit, don't see it happening too quickly.  

Would part of it be a better Amtrak stop for Detroit?  

Mike W. posted:

Would part of it be a better Amtrak stop for Detroit?  

Hi Mike:

Absolutely Yes: Michigan Central Station would be a better stop.  I board the train in Pontiac. Pontiac is where the train starts from the metro Detroit Area to Chicago. These are the metro stops from east to west. (1) Pontiac (2) Detroit (3) Dearborn (4) Ann Arbor home to the University of Michigan.

I board the Amtrak at Pontiac.  This is where the Amtrak starts their trips. I have a friend who is an Amtrak conductor and he lives in Brighton, Michigan and I see him at the start of his day.

All four of these station are un-man stations. You have to buy your ticket before you get their. You can also get on the train with no ticket, but you have to purchase the ticket via your phone. My friend the conductor has told me if you get on with no ticket and do not have it bought by the next stop, you will be ask to get off the train.  In some cases Amtrak will have law enforcement to remove you from the train. This is very rare.

The best station used to be Dearborn, but they moved it about three years ago, 1.5 miles west.  Parking can be an issue at Pontiac, they have one lot that is shared with the train crews and passengers.

If Ford Motor buys the Michigan Central Station, we hope they will bring back part of the building for Amtrak along with stores. This would be great for parking.

I will look for some photos.

Hope this helps: Gary

The continuing saga of the Michigan Central Station. Detroit, Michigan

To read the complete article: Click Here

Source: “Crain’s Detroit Business”

Gary

Detroit is in better shape now than it has been in a while, but there is a long way to go. I am hopeful, however. 

The big thing is for the tech business to continue to grow in the area—and the long term signs look good for that to continue. 

Jeff C