Over the last 40 years, there have been announcements about new and old buildings that have impacted Detroit. It happened with the construction of the Renaissance Center, the restoration of the Fox Theatre and the creation of new professional sports venues in Midtown.
"Ford Motor Company's blue oval will adorn the building." - Matthew Moroun
And so it’s not surprising that Matthew Moroun’s press conference announcing the family has sold the long-shuttered Michigan Central Station to the Ford Motor Company is being met with great excitement and hope!
For too long it has stood as Detroit’s best known symbol of urban decay. But now, the historic train depot has a new lease on life. On Tuesday, Ford will officially reveal its development plans for the 18-story building built back in 1913. Reportedly, Ford will convert this long vacant structure and other nearby buildings into its new campus for self-driving cars and advanced technology. That would be fitting for the automotive giant that put the world on wheels and was founded in Detroit in 1903.
This real estate transfer also bolds well for Detroit’s ongoing resurgence and is a potentially big development boost for Corktown, the city’s oldest neighborhood. We congratulate all of the leaders involved in making this project a reality.
We also hope that part of the restored building will re-open to the public in a way that showcases the vintage train depot. If done right, Michigan Central Station and the Blue Ford Oval can stand as a world-class example of what is possible when there is vision and the private and public sectors work together as one.
I’m Chuck Stokes, Editorial Director
Broadcast: June 14 - 17, 2018
