Possible New Life for Michigan Central Station? Ford Motor Co. a Buyer? YES!

**detroitpride313** · September-11-17, 10:52 AM

UPDATE: Renovation is Underway

UPDATE: Ford Purchases Michigan Central Building
Moving advance mobility operations to Corktown.

UPDATE: Ford In Negotiations To Buy Michigan Central RE Building“Ford Motor Co. is in discussions to purchase the dilapidated Michigan Central Station in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood just outside of downtown, Crain's has learned from multiple sources familiar with the negotiations.

"Moroun envisions the depot having a straight-shot rail line to Detroit Metropolitan Airport and being a stop for Amtrak’s high-speed train routes to Chicago and a connection to Ontario’s VIA through the adjacent rail tunnel that dips below the Detroit River."

Seeing as it's the Morouns idk if I won't hold my breath but it'd be cool if this were to happen... maybe Matthew will do more than Matty has done.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...t-depot-trains

**Lowell** · September-11-17, 11:28 AM

Mighty big talk including tossing out the suggestion of a QLine 2 running out Michigan Ave. to make the MC location relevant.

"Moroun envisions the depot having a straight-shot rail line to Detroit Metropolitan Airport and being a stop for Amtrak’s high-speed train routes to Chicago and a connection to Ontario’s VIA through the adjacent rail tunnel that dips below the Detroit River."

"One of the biggest obstacles to redeveloping the train station is its location along Michigan Avenue on the outskirts of Corktown, nearly two miles west of Campus Martius in the central business district.

"To overcome that barrier, Moroun said a second QLine streetcar line could be built along Michigan Avenue to connect downtown with the depot [[like there used to be in the first half of the 20th century, as evidenced by old rails exposed along Michigan).

**casscorridor** · September-11-17, 12:52 PM

While we're at it, throw the Amazon H2Q in there.

**EGrant** · September-11-17, 02:12 PM

And a City Target.

**Zads07** · September-11-17, 05:03 PM

I'll believe it when the money shows up. Until then, it's all a pipe dream and just talk.

**313WX** · September-11-17, 05:09 PM

This should be a part of the city's pitch to Amazon.

If we land HQ2, we'll commit to having trains coming in and out of MCS by 2027.

**Shai_Hulud** · September-11-17, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by casscorridor

While we're at it, throw the Amazon H2Q in there.

While a long shot, that's actually a decent idea. Out side of Casino-Hotel, most of the suggestions for MCS are far too small.

**MicrosoftFan** · September-11-17, 07:09 PM

As I have stated before, Amtrak to MCS, as far as track upgrades go, is "no biggie". The building would need to be renovated, yes, but the tracks are already there and Amtrak would have no problem running into MCS. In addition, an Amtrak MCS station opens up the door for HSR on the Chicago-Toronto corridor, as Detroit sits right at the mouth of the Canadian rail tunnel.

**Jason** · September-11-17, 07:28 PM

He envisions free PR and stalling demands that he actually do something with the property.

**Atticus** · September-12-17, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by MicrosoftFan

As I have stated before, Amtrak to MCS, as far as track upgrades go, is "no biggie". The building would need to be renovated, yes, but the tracks are already there and Amtrak would have no problem running into MCS. In addition, an Amtrak MCS station opens up the door for HSR on the Chicago-Toronto corridor, as Detroit sits right at the mouth of the Canadian rail tunnel.

Just playing along, but hey why not...

IF trains ever did return to MCS, I like the idea about how Amtrak and VIA trains could both serve the station. However I don't like the idea of connecting the Amtrak tracks to the VIA tracks. Simply put, I don't want the same train to go from Chicago to Toronto. I want passengers to have to get off one train and connect to another in Detroit.

Yes, I know this connection is slightly annoying and less efficient... but it would be good for Detroit. And even if the only economic benefit is some connecting passengers buying a pop or candy bar, it is still money coming to the city that other wise isn't.

For those who have driven to D.C. before, the Breezewood,PA portion of I-70 is not efficient and slightly annoying, but that inefficiency is great for the local economy. That is what MCS could be again... a logical place to transfer from Amtrak to VIA, and for out-of-staters to spend a few bucks.

**drjeff** · September-12-17, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by Atticus

Just playing along, but hey why not...

For those who have driven to D.C. before, the Breezewood,PA portion of I-70 is not efficient and slightly annoying, but that inefficiency is great for the local economy. That is what MCS could be again... a logical place to transfer from Amtrak to VIA, and for out-of-staters to spend a few bucks.

Closer to home, US-23 doesn't connect to the Ohio Turnpike for no apparent reason. I'm sure that also benefits the gas stations and restaurants in that stretch.

**MikeyinBrooklyn** · September-12-17, 02:15 PM

I think this is just the regular fluff that the Morouns put out, and has no real chance of happening. Even if it did, it would be a waste of resources beyond Moroun money. There SHOULD be a rail connection to downtown. The closest & best option would be a rail link at the current Amtrak station [[although a better facility at the same location would be great), as a part of the rail line to Ann Arbor. I would establish a transit center in Romulus with a loop monorail serving the terminals, parking garages and employee areas around the airport. I would also have parking and bus connections there as well.

**mtburb** · September-12-17, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by drjeff

Closer to home, US-23 doesn't connect to the Ohio Turnpike for no apparent reason. I'm sure that also benefits the gas stations and restaurants in that stretch.

And for many years, right up until 1991, I-75, didn't connect to the Turnpike either. I wonder how the economy of that immediate area has been since that connection has been in place.

**mikehamm45** · September-12-17, 08:33 PM

I always thought that parking was a big obstacle for MCS. If Amazon was to go in there... where would people park? They would have to tear down quite a few house and build a hidious parking structure that would need to connect to the MCS somehow... furthering its ugly as it would encroach on MCS, the sightline of a isolated MCS would go away.

But I have no imagination... I prefer to have that filled by Michael Bay or Zack Synder as they place their movie garbage using FX all over it

**professorscott** · September-13-17, 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by mikehamm45

I always thought that parking was a big obstacle for MCS. If Amazon was to go in there... where would people park?

Not to worry; Amazon isn't coming to Detroit. Read their criteria.

Regarding changing the current Amtrak service to use MCS, that's vanishingly unlikely to happen. An Amtrak train from Chicago to MCS could then not serve Royal Oak, Troy/Birmingham and Pontiac. Additional Amtrak service from Chicago [[or Toledo and points east) to MCS is a great idea and just needs funding.

Regarding a streetcar from downtown to MCS and then a train using [[mostly) existing tracks to the airport, that's a great idea, and it just needs backing [[of the green variety) to get traction.

So the essential problem, here as always, is prioritizing what we spend and getting champions excited about the possibilities.

**mikeg19** · September-13-17, 08:01 AM

I could see MCS as a possible landing spot, but you might have to throw in the old DPS building next door and the abandoned hospital site, as well as available land surrounding it. Honestly though, I think Amazon would want to be more centrally located in the "tech corridor" or whatever the hell Gilbert calls it. I would think Midtown/New Center areas might be more their idea. Next to Wayne State, M1 rail on its doorstep, up and coming area. Then again, where do you have enough shovel ready land available for this type of campus in that area?

It's too bad nobody has assembled a swath of land in the CBD that they use for game day parking lots and let it sit there for 2 decades just waiting for the right type of development to come. If someone had done that, then gifted it to the city contingent on the Amazon bid, then maybe the ills that have been brought by that organization could be forgiven. It sure as hell would go a lot farther than an arena or pizza shaped windows on a new HQ.

**clubboss** · September-13-17, 11:18 AM

Michigan Homecoming soiree kicks off tonight at the fabled train station; WXYZ will be streaming the event, starting @ 6:00 pm

**davewindsor** · September-13-17, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by professorscott

Not to worry; Amazon isn't coming to Detroit. Read their criteria.

What qualifies you to make the claim that Amazon isn't coming to Detroit? Do you know Mark Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, personally and he told you??

You might quote an article from a fake news tabloid like the NY Times that today's Free Press quoted this morning saying it's Denver. But it's completely unreliable because the site won't be picked until spring of next year and these papers have nothing to do with Bezos.

The Washington Post [[probably the most reliable source here because it is owned by Bezos and is his personal propaganda machine) stated in an article dated September 8th that Detroit is still in the running while eliminating 79 other possibilities because they didn't meet the criteria: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...=.2db7de4d1e42

Mayor Duggan can also give them Roosevelt Park for extra parking like he traded the Morouns a city park so they could have the land to complete their bridge. Don't worry about parking and public transportation. For 50,000 jobs, it's all negotiable.

The parcels for future development don't need to be touching each other. It can be 100 acres of broken parcels spread out from Corktown to downtown.

So, stop making claims here you can't back up unless you want to be called out as a fraud.

**MikeyinBrooklyn** · September-13-17, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by davewindsor

What qualifies you to make the claim that Amazon isn't coming to Detroit? Do you know Mark Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, personally and he told you??

So, stop making claims here you can't back up unless you want to be called out as a fraud.

Well, Davewindsor, as charming and classy as your post was, I would point out just a few things. First, is Mark Bezos any relation to Jeff Bezos, head of Amazon? Second, I don't think Professor Scott was trying to imply inside definitive knowledge about the situation, just that based on announced criteria Detroit is unlikely to get this development.

I would go on to agree with what you rather correctly, if callously and indirectly, pointed out are excessive giveaways to corporate interests in pursuit of development. I think that while every project should be looked at for its specific costs/benefits, the city does better by making things easier and less expensive for all than to just carve out individual deals.

I think Detroit is in the running, and while we have shortcomings, we also have a lot of assets [[affordable land is one for sure), but we are a long shot. Among other reasons- as I wrote last week- Jeff Bezos probably has a preferred city in mind. The whole "make your city's pitch" game is really about getting the best possible deal from the city he wants to build in, rather than identifying where they actually want to build.

**Dumpling** · September-13-17, 03:37 PM

Personally I'd be happy with the Howe Bridge being the truck
traffic bridge and the renovated Ambassador Bridge being the
high speed rail bridge that has high speed rail feeds from Toledo,
Chicago, *DTW*!!, and possibly Mackinac City-Grand Rapids-Lansing,
with a connecting depot being at MCS. I'd just hate if the Amazon
HQ went in RIGHT there though. That would obliterate
Corktown and Southwest Detroit I believe.

**professorscott** · September-13-17, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by MikeyinBrooklyn

I don't think Professor Scott was trying to imply inside definitive knowledge about the situation, just that based on announced criteria Detroit is unlikely to get this development.

Spot on, and thanks for the assist.

Originally Posted by MikeyinBrooklyn

Jeff Bezos probably has a preferred city in mind. The whole "make your city's pitch" game is really about getting the best possible deal from the city he wants to build in, rather than identifying where they actually want to build.

Quite cynical, and therefore likely correct.

**mikeg19** · September-14-17, 09:28 AM

I'm a little perplexed about this. Didn't they declare that the window installation was complete? If so, why are there no windows on the ground level? Only the tower gets windows????

**Hermod** · September-14-17, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Atticus

Just playing along, but hey why not...

IF trains ever did return to MCS, I like the idea about how Amtrak and VIA trains could both serve the station. However I don't like the idea of connecting the Amtrak tracks to the VIA tracks. Simply put, I don't want the same train to go from Chicago to Toronto. I want passengers to have to get off one train and connect to another in Detroit.

Yes, I know this connection is slightly annoying and less efficient... but it would be good for Detroit. And even if the only economic benefit is some connecting passengers buying a pop or candy bar, it is still money coming to the city that other wise isn't.

For those who have driven to D.C. before, the Breezewood,PA portion of I-70 is not efficient and slightly annoying, but that inefficiency is great for the local economy. That is what MCS could be again... a logical place to transfer from Amtrak to VIA, and for out-of-staters to spend a few bucks.

Back in the 19th century, the French government was building rail lines. One of the deputies was proposing a break in the line at a major city in his district because of the economic benefits that it would bring. One of the deputies facetiously demolished his proposal by saying that there should be a break at every town and city along the line because of the economic benefits to the whole region and that the railroad should be built in a series of breaks.

**night-timer** · September-20-17, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by MicrosoftFan

As I have stated before, Amtrak to MCS, as far as track upgrades go, is "no biggie". The building would need to be renovated, yes, but the tracks are already there and Amtrak would have no problem running into MCS. In addition, an Amtrak MCS station opens up the door for HSR on the Chicago-Toronto corridor, as Detroit sits right at the mouth of the Canadian rail tunnel.

Seeing as I don't have much knowledge of the workings of the MCS building when it was a functioning railway station, why did trains stop in the first place?

Was it lack of demand or traffic at the time, and, if so, why is Maroun putting them back in?

There has been little by way of announcements regarding the future uses of the MCS building, but I doubt that it is earmarked to just become another train station again.

If it becomes a hotel/casino, apartments with ground floor retail, etc, the train station might be a noise issue for residents and guests.

**Atticus** · September-20-17, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by night-timer

Seeing as I don't have much knowledge of the workings of the MCS building when it was a functioning railway station, why did trains stop in the first place?

Was it lack of demand or traffic at the time, and, if so, why is Maroun putting them back in?

There has been little by way of announcements regarding the future uses of the MCS building, but I doubt that it is earmarked to just become another train station again.

If it becomes a hotel/casino, apartments with ground floor retail, etc, the train station might be a noise issue for residents and guests.

Basically, there is a junction in the rail line Amtrak uses just north of Mexicantown. Coming in on the rail line from Chicago & Ann Arbor, when you come to that Mexicantown junction you have two choices: Go right and go to MCS and then Canada, or go left and go to New Center and then Oakland County. so it becomes an either/or. Either serve MCS, or serve Oakland County.

Thus in the 80s the decision was made to switch from serving MCS to serving Oakland County. The powers that be believed you would pick up more Amtrak passengers from the Oakland County stations than MCS. Thus the route was switched, MCS closed, and it has remained that way ever since.