How the Morouns became Detroit’s least trustworthy billionaire family

**Metro25** · January-06-20, 05:54 PM

With speculation that they’ll demo the Bel Air shopping center, it’s worth reviewing the family’s worst exploits

Just over two years ago, billionaire Manuel “Matty” Moroun announced that he would hand the reins of his international trucking and real estate empire to his son, Matthew Moroun.

The younger Moroun told the Detroit Free Press his approach to business differed from his father’s. He preferred open dialogue to unilateral decision-making, and sought to “change the narrative” by becoming a better corporate neighbor that partnered with the community instead of punishing it.

“I’m trying to build a bridge, so I need friends. My father’s friends? They’re all gone, practically,” Matthew Moroun said at the time.
Since those proclamations, the Morouns have remained in the news. Most prominently, the family sold Michigan Central Station to Ford Motor Company for $90 million.

Late last year, their real estate arm, Crown Enterprises, purchased the Bel-Air Shopping Plaza, which holds the city’s only functioning mainstream movie theater. Their plans are unclear, but some speculate the plaza will come down. Demolishing a movie theater may not endear the Morouns to the city’s residents, and that raises questions about whether the family is living up to its promise to be a good corporate neighbor...

Meanwhile, the family still can’t escape lingering animosity and suspicion from residents. “We feel like they’re snakes in the tall grass waiting to strike again,” says Deb Sumner, founder of the Clark Park Coalition in Southwest. “We’ve got to watch them like a hawk for when they’ll strike next.”

https://detroit.curbed.com/2020/1/6/...entral-station

**Metro25** · January-06-20, 06:16 PM

Everybody should really read the whole thing. It's a comprehensive account of all the nasty and shady shit they've done and continue to do. Parasites like the Morouns need to be run out of town.

**Gistok** · January-08-20, 10:15 PM

Had you seen the Bel Air Shopping Center back around 2001 when Eminem had his world premier of "8 Mile" at their movie theatres, it was a shopping center that was holding its' own.

However, like many strip malls around the area [[and country), Bel Air shopping center went the way of Northland many years ago. All the stores are pretty much gone empty, but the theatre remains. If they are tearing it down, then they might find another use for the land.

Despite being right on 8 Mile Rd., it was never a great location for a strip mall.

P.S. I'm no friend of the Marouns, they are worst than the Ilitches.