Jun23

saving Michigan Central.

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opening of Michigan Central Train Station, 1913, Detroit, Michgan, USA

one of the great historic icons in Detroit

the last train came through in 1988

it became a victim of neglect. abuse, theft, time, and the elements

the locale for a number of end of world/armageddon films

the city couldn’t afford to demolish it

bill ford (grandson of henry) bought it in 2018

these 2 pics, above and below

show how it looked on the last day we could go in

before it was shut down and renovation plans began

 he had plans to

make it ford world headquarters

create a newlab technology hub

support the surrounding neighborhood

develop a 30 acre campus

restore the parks around it

after 6 long and incredibly challenging years

at last restored and ready

he returned this landmark

to it’s original luster

the city could not have a greater gift.

“how soon country people forget. when they fall in love with a city it is forever, and it is like forever. as thought there never was a time when we didn’t love it. the minute they arrive at the train station or get off the ferry and glimpse the wide streets and the wasteful lamps lighting them, they know they are born for it. there, in a city, they are not so much new as themselves; their stronger, riskier selves.”

-toni morrison

84 responses »

    • tech hub is completed, campus still in process, parks completed, roads around it automatically charge ev’s when driving over them, next will come the restoration of the

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  20. That’s an incredible story! Now that I am in New York, I found out that Jackie Onassis was the driving force to keep the city from destroying Grand Central Station – can you believe that? It’s an incredible building and is used by tens of thousands every single day – it just takes one person with a love of the history of someplace to help save it for all. Thanks for sharing!

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  23. MSNBC ran a short story about this a few weeks ago…being a native Michigander now living in Washington (state)..I was so very proud to hear of this wonderful restoration of this beautiful, historic building.

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  25. That is amazing. It is wonderful that he bought it and restored it. I have not visited Detroit often but when I lived in Cleveland, Ohio, in the 90’s I visited several times and then I lived in Pontiac outside of Detroit for three months in 1994. I was young engineer and out of school, working for a robotics company. I remember Detroit being quite run down. I hope it is better now. At least Cleveland has had a renaissance.

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  32. What a gorgeous building. You always wonder how they get abandoned in the first place but boy can we rejoice when someone decides that no, this must be brought back to its original beauty.

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