New windows for Michigan Central Depot confirmed

[wolverine]

I agree, Warsaw7. Those few windows already make it look better. As esighed said, it would seem to make sense to clean the brick before installing the windows, but that would assume that this was truly the beginning of a restoration and not just a public relations ploy.

Even if the face brick was totally shot, the entire facade could be removed and replaced while leaving the new windows in place. The windows are in-line with the backup masonry.

[mikeg19]

Appealing for what/who? This is just a public perception campaign.

Yea, we all know it is, but doesn't a scrubbed, lit, landscaped building with windows look a lot better than one falling apart on itself?

It will be appealing to residents of the area, potential tenants of new/rehabbed Corktown buildings, as well as anyone remotely interested in buying the train station and using it for something. Yea, spending a few million on a rehab pegged at $150-$300 mil ain't much, but it's a start. And it's with private funding.

[DetroiterOnTheWestCoast]

With windows in the MCS, and the Packard Plant getting tidied up, what will the tourists visit for ruin porn pics?

[DetroitBoy]

I would really like to see DetroitYES site update The Fabulous Ruins section and revamp it adding in pics and stories on what is going on in downtown and midtown with buildings.

It's interesting to see how terrible things are but, more importantly, it's a lot better to be showing the new and completed projects for those who are becoming interested in Detroit.

More people will believe it really should be Detroit Yes if we show that instead of celebrating what's trashed out from the past.

[Detroit]

Did anyone see the building today!? Two more floors of windows were installed today!

[SetecX]

I did a flyby yesterday. See the progress here:

https://youtu.be/eNxusLQ8Cx4

[Dbest]

I did a flyby yesterday. See the progress here: https://youtu.be/eNxusLQ8Cx4

That was super nice of you to post that video, exceptional quality too. Thanks and welcome to the board.

[SetecX]

Thank you. As an aside, I'm also the guy responsible for this: http://wingsarena.tumblr.com

[Dbest]

Thank you. As an aside, I'm also the guy responsible for this: http://wingsarena.tumblr.com

Nice work...

[Honky Tonk]

[[sniff) Does anyone have a hanky? Are those windows half full or half empty?

[123456789]

This is great stuff. I'm assuming it's against the law, but it would be sweet to see the inside of mcs with that thing. I guess you'd also risk losing a drone worth at least a couple thousand dollars as well.

[Scottathew]

It's great to see windows going in, but the pace is laughable. Gilbert does more for Detroit in most days than what Matty does in a year.

Matty so disgustingly rich that this window project could easily be knocked out in a couple of weeks, but instead it's going to drag into the winter, probably stop, and resume and finish next spring. This is by design, so he can point to it for a long while and say, "See, I'm doing something good!"

[mikeg19]

While nice, still looks like the roofs are in need of replacing. You can see all of the steel on the lower roofs, but I think it's been that way for awhile. Also, was the upper roof ever replaced? I'd think that needs to be completed before the windows went in.

[Dbest]

While nice, still looks like the roofs are in need of replacing. You can see all of the steel on the lower roofs, but I think it's been that way for awhile. Also, was the upper roof ever replaced? I'd think that needs to be completed before the windows went in.

According to the window contractor, the roof is intact and functioning. I agree the aesthics appear to tell a different story though. Here's a quote from the window contractor prior to the work beginning:

"Once the windows are on — making it air tight and safe from weather — they can start doing work inside of the building," Chamberlain said.

[MrChrome]

Thank you. As an aside, I'm also the guy responsible for this: http://wingsarena.tumblr.com

I've been looking for a good place to find regular updates on the construction progress. Thanks for posting and running this!

[belleislerunner]

I remember reading that is was a father/son team from St Clair that were doing the window installation work after randomly writing Maroun. So doesn't matter how rich you are - there's only two of them putting in windows and thus a cap on the speed at which you can deliver. This is no Wallside Window assembly line.

[Gistok]

I remember reading that is was a father/son team from St Clair that were doing the window installation work after randomly writing Maroun. So doesn't matter how rich you are - there's only two of them putting in windows and thus a cap on the speed at which you can deliver. This is no Wallside Window assembly line.

No but based on a quick count of the Drone video, it looks like there's already over 200 windows installed.... that's lightning speed for just 2 guys... and light years ahead of the 4 windows in 1 year snails pace we had at first....

[Lowell]

Outstanding SetecX. Thanks. We look forward to more!

[Hermod]

Matty so disgustingly rich that this window project could easily be knocked out in a couple of weeks

Easy to be generous with other people's money.

[southen]

Easy to be generous with other people's money.

I havent rolled my eyes that hard at a comment in some time. Thank you.

[MSUguy]

Matty's folk's gave the media a tour of the work done so far today

Train depot progress report: About 60% new windows

Proud of progress at Michigan Central Station, the Moroun organization gave a tour today inside the structure where workers continue to replace more than 1,000 windows broken during years of neglect.

About 600 windows have been installed on the upper floors of the train station near 17th and Michigan, said Ken Carter, a superintendent of the project for the Moroun family's Detroit International Bridge Co. He expects all the windows — nearly 1,100 — to be installed by the end of the year.

Carter said the clean-up and restoration of the century-old landmark station — which became a persistent symbol around the world of Detroit's decline — have cost about $12 million, so far, including restoring electricity to the station and installing a $4-million elevator capable of carrying freight and passengers.


http://www.freep.com/story/money/bus...idge/31633393/

Representatives for the billionaire owners of the empty Michigan Central Depot gave a brief media tour Thursday of one of the city’s most famous ruins, sparked by the installation of hundreds of windows.
The former train station is still empty, just as it has been since 1988. Owner Manuel “Matty” Moroun hasn’t revealed a plan for the 18-story behemoth. But nearly half of the 1,000-plus windows have been installed, and that alone sparked a lot of media attention. It’s testimony the Corktown structure is still an awe-inspiring wreck.
A peek inside shows a lot of work is still needed to restore the building back to its original grandeur. The coliseum-like lobby remains riddled with graffiti and gaping holes. Even on a floor where many of the windows, which cost $3,000 apiece, have been installed, the room was an empty shell. All of the windows in the building will be installed by the end of the year, officials said Thursday.
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/bus...-tour/31618621

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[animatedmartian]

Saw the MCS from 75 today. Those windows do nothing for the building. You can still see all the grit and crumbling facade next to the windows. I mean... if there's one positive thing I can say, it's that at least now MCS looks a little more blue.

[Scottathew]

Every single media outlet is covering the window restoration. Looks like someone paid some good cash for media coverage!

[MSUguy]

Every single media outlet is covering the window restoration. Looks like someone paid some good cash for media coverage!

They're covering it because they gave them a tour yesterday.

[mikeg19]

What was that under all the windows that looks rusted/oxidized now? Were those copper panels at one time or something metal? Looks like it was some decorative effect previously.