May 1, 2009


Businessman proposes to sell Michigan Center Depot

By JOHN GALLAGHER
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER Businessman Manuel [[Matty) Moroun is proposing to sell the dilapidated Michigan Center Depot to the United States government for redevelopment.

Moroun’s Detroit International Bridge Company issued a statement today saying it would submit its proposal to the U.S. General Services Administration next week for GSA to acquire and develop the site.

“We are committed to finding a better use for the Michigan Central Train Depot as soon as possible,” said Dan Stamper, president of the bridge company. “We hope to work with GSA to develop a project, whether their needs include an adaptive reuse of the Depot or the construction of a new facility.”

The offer to GSA is the latest in a long line of potential ideas to salvage the depot after its days as a train station ended two decades ago. The depot has been touted as an international trade market, a Detroit police headquarters, and more, but nothing has survived the test of market reality.
“We will be reaching out to the Detroit City Council and the community to join us in encouraging GSA to consider our proposal,” said Stamper.
Contact JOHN GALLAGHER: 313-222-5173 or gallagher@freepress.com.






Does anyone know of the history for these type of projects?