Work has begun at MCS

[Det_ard]

Whadda ya bet work ceases the moment he either wins or loses his bridge battle.

[Gistok]

Whadda ya bet work ceases the moment he either wins or loses his bridge battle.

Det_ard... well let's hope that "his" bridge process gets dragged out for quite a while... so that he finishes with his MCS work... although we all know better....

It's funny how he's got not only his son involved... but also his wife in public statements. Perhaps he realizes his reputation is in the toilet...

[mcsdetroitfriend]

They're removing the same windows that have just been installed in this 1913 Manning Bro's photo from Columbia University in NYC [[sorry for the glare)

[CLAUDE G]

I guess the question is are they actually replacing the windows, or simply replacing the broken glass?

I drove by there tonight and it looked like they are just replacing glass. It would be nice if the window frames get pulled and they install all new windows.

But seriously, I think this is a win win situation for Maroun...

#1 He gets the support of all the preservationists, that would like to see the depot restored.

#2 He gets the Corktown community on his side for fixing up the eyesoar

#3 There is a potential to lease out the space for offices or lofts.

Just pure speculation on my part. I think the whole purpose of these renovations is work out a deal with the city to move the Police headquarters to the Michigan Central Depot.

Right now all the work gets put into the building with renovations, they replace the windows, and the building gets to the point where a tenant is ready to move in. Maroun then works out a deal with the city to lease the building to them for the new police headquarters.

In exchange, the city does not have to spend $50 million dollars to fix up the old MGM grand and Maroun gets his approval to finish the bridge.

[cramerro]

I am hoping they actually replace the windows as well. Given thier state and the asbestos, I would think it would be easier/cheaper to replace them... and I think the leaded glass[[?) and caulking will just be removed and new replacement windows installed [[Majic windows are fiberglass - might be better for long-term use).

I also agree that this is an [[albeit thinly vieled) attempt to save face to tip some of his neighbors into not being as against him as they are now, and would be nice if it were actually completed but I can't imagine it will be the silver bullet for his bridge vs the New Crossing.

Thats where the lovefest ends. This building and site are in terrible shape physically. Replacing the windows on its own will slightly improve the view from afar... but without cleaning the stonework and architectural details, cleaning up the site around the building, and securing the building from vandals, the windows are almost as superficial as adding the awnings to the Statler [[now an empty lot). SO, this is hardly 'fixing up the eyesore,' and the prospect of leasing the space for offices or lofts is millions of dollars away given that everything other than the physical structure [[and now the windows perhaps) is gone. Plumbing, ductwork, heating/cooling, elevators, elecrtical, finishes on the load bearing/outside walls. Basically a full on restoration before person one could occupy the building.

I wouldn' mind seeing the PD move there instead of the old IRS/MGM, but I'd be surprised if the renovation was cheaper given that the MGM/IRS building was a nicely outfitted, occupied building just a few years ago [[and has been secured since).

[mrpatlast]

It is nice to see minimal preservation taking place at the MCS. Though I fear that Mr. Maroun is going to hold this building hostage for the new bridge. I know its been suggested on this thread and I believe another before but I think he is going to say "Take your pick, a new bridge or a new Depot?"

[Dbest]

I cant stand the old casino really. I wish MGM had moved into MCS. Detroit would have loved AUTHENTIC luxury surrounding them while they game. I like the idea of just replacing panes if they can. I would like as much of that building preserved as possible. Give the guy a little credit I guess. It's not as if his family hasn't been floating quotes around in regards to fixing up this building. I'm sure their friends and everyone realize how absentee they have been with this property. Probably starting to feel guilty. Plus he and his wife are not destined for earth much longer than another 10 or 20 years so maybe now is the time.

[1KielsonDrive]

Whadda ya bet work ceases the moment he either wins or loses his bridge battle.

You got that right.

[Whitehouse]

In any case, be vigilant with your cameras!

[Hypestyles]

Asbestos would have to be removed for demolition anyway....cost of the windows is minimal to Matty.

what would it cost to totally remove all asbestos and hazardous materials there? in removing windows, do they also have to watch out for falling debris?

[drjeff]

Is that even legal?

When did the legality of anything ever matter to Matty Maroun? He does whatever he wants.

[DetroitHabitater]

I think corktown would be happier if he built the ramps so the trucks coming off the bridge wouldn't be routed up rosa parks. They are pretty loud and they've already had to rebuild the road once because the trucks destroyed it.

[DetroitUA]

why couldn't MCS be the terminal for the new high speed rail possibly being built between Det & Chi?

[One Shot]

Its all a game and obviously people are falling for it.
Its about what he wants and what he's gotta do to get it.
This is NOT a restoration.

[BrushStart]

I see some of you are not falling for it... but, while this is not a restoration, I think Maroun knows there's value in this building.

First, there's value in preserving it due to the overwhelming number of people who want to see it restored.

Secondly, Maroun sees economic activity occurring all around his decrepit property and may think that there's some opportunity to profit off of Corktown's resurgence.

Third, there has been money appropriated by the feds to build a semi-high-speed rail line between Detroit and Chicago. A natural terminus is right there at MCS. I'll bet all my marbles that Maroun is going to try and obtain a monopoly over the rail line terminal. He already controls all truck traffic between Detroit and Windsor, why not control all passenger traffic between Detroit and Chicago?

Fourth, he may get some tax credits to restore building.

Fifth, he is no spring chicken, and this may be his last attempt to be remembered as something other than a "Mr. Burns." Let's face it, his public reputations is less than worthless. If Ilitch died today, most people would remember him fondly, and many would want to memorialize his image somewhere in Foxtown. If Maroun died today, there certainly wouldn't be people erecting a monument to pay tribute to his memory in SW Detroit.

Maroun has every reason to fix up MCS. In fact, even with his money, it would take time to think up reasons why the building should be left to decay. It is iconic. MCS is perhaps Detroit's most notable building outside of the RenCen. There's a lot of direct and tangential benefits to restoring MCS. Honestly, I'm surprised it has taken Maroun this long.

[agrahlma]

Well stated BrushStart. Regardless of Maroun's intentions, It’s a step in the right direction. Worst case scenario -- he replaces the windows and the roof and then walks away. In this case, at least the building would be less of an eyesore. Maybe he is positioning himself for a high-speed rail line into MCS.

I now have this recurring dream/fantasy of sitting in the MCS terminal with my family waiting on an outbound train for Chicago [[with tickets to a Tigers - White Sox game in hand - lol). Damn, my alarm just went off!

[kryptonite]

I totally agree with Brushstart. Doing something with the building is far better than doing nothing. The areas near the station - Corktown, SW Detroit and North Corktown all are showing some positive signs of recovery, regardless of how minor.

the current Amtrak station in New Center is not a great facility although that is pretty much what Amtrak now uses in many large cities - small new free-standing stations. If high speed rail ever happens between Detroit/Chicago or even Ann Arbor/DTW/Detroit then MCS could make an excellent facility for the new services and maybe Amtrak additionally. Disembarking at MCS from Amtrak would be better than at New Center I would think.

There are many landowners in Detroit that do less with their properties than Maroun does with that building. the cleanup that was done last summer with support from Maroun made a difference in the appearance of the grounds. Even if he is doing this only to generate positive PR then good. I don't agree with his plan to sign up a major tenant before beginning renovations. If nothing else, secure and weather proof the building and clean it out, would that not make the sell a bit easier?.

[mikeg19]

If he added a power wash and accent lighting to this "renovation" or whatever term he wants to dub it, that would be a gigantic step I think. Although I'm glad to see this work taking place, and I'm certainly a proponent of renovating the MCS, this seems like putting lipstick on a pig. I understand this is a step in the right direction, but I'd like to see just a little bit more. It's still gonna be a fenced off, dark, hulking structure.

[gthomas]

MCS could be a nice Belliagio Hotel and Union Train Station with shops and restaurants...? Dreaming smh.

[mcsdetroitfriend]

If he added a power wash and accent lighting to this "renovation" or whatever term he wants to dub it, that would be a gigantic step I think. Although I'm glad to see this work taking place, and I'm certainly a proponent of renovating the MCS, this seems like putting lipstick on a pig. I understand this is a step in the right direction, but I'd like to see just a little bit more. It's still gonna be a fenced off, dark, hulking structure.

Accent lighting has been in the works since October, and they powerwash every once in a while, so I don't think they'll not do it this time

[Rocko]

and they powerwash every once in a while, so I don't think they'll not do it this time

Powerwash the facade of the station? I've never seen or heard of them doing that.

[Joseph C. Krause]

I saw them powerwashing the facade when they were planting flowers last Summer. Or was it two Summers ago?

[mcsdetroitfriend]

Powerwash the facade of the station? I've never seen or heard of them doing that.

Remember "TROY" that was on the columns? FreeP and Detroit News sometimes run photographs of the facade when that was there. But its had a clean front for the last 2 years. Sure the sides aren't great, there's some graffiti on the East and West facades and on the top floors of the North and South sides, but the front is the cleanest it's been in years.

The facade is limestone and limestone likes to absorb toxic elements in the air, just look at the Book Tower.

[Rocko]

You're right....I do remember TROY. I guess I just figured when graffiti disappeared it was covered up with more graffiti.

I wonder if anyone else besides I have read the National Park Service Preservation Brief #38, "Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry"? It would be most important in this endeavor if they hope to do it right.

http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/briefs/brief38.htm

[mcsdetroitfriend]

You're right....I do remember TROY. I guess I just figured when graffiti disappeared it was covered up with more graffiti.

I wonder if anyone else besides I have read the National Park Service Preservation Brief #38, "Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry"? It would be most important in this endeavor if they hope to do it right.

http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/briefs/brief38.htm

Great read! I passed that along