On Monday, August 31st, the Michigan Senate Transportation and Homeland Security and Emerging Technologies Committees will hold a joint hearing in Detroit on possible future re-uses for Michigan Central Depot. In a letter to the Detroit International Bridge Company, Assistant Majority Floor Leader Sen. Cameron Brown says he's eager to help the Bridge Company find a tenant for its derelict 1913 office building. The suggested users would all have their rent paid by federal or state taxpayers: a Michigan State Police crime lab, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a "multi-state emergency-management system," or an "international trade processing center" for customs inspections.

Sen. Brown's letter is signed by five other Republican Senators, apparently wanting to show billionaire Manuel Moroun that he's getting his money's worth from his purchase of the Michigan Senate majority. Only an uncharitable person might ask why senators from places like Sturgis, Traverse City, Howell or Three Oaks are so eager to find tenants for this particular empty Detroit property.

Anyone who wants to offer their own suggestions for re-use of this "14 acres in proximity to critical state, regional, and international infrastructure" will be welcome at the hearing, which will happen at SEMCOG's offices at the Buhl Building, 535 Griswold, Suite 300, at 10:00 AM on the 31st. The senators expect testimony to take a couple of hours, so I'm sure they'll welcome your ideas. [[Check the Committees' web sites for late changes to the schedule.)