Michigan Central Station - Future Development

Future Development

In 2008, the station owners said that their goal is to renovate the decaying building that was closed in 1988. The estimated cost of renovations was $80 million, but the owners viewed finding the right use as a greater problem than financing. On March 25, 2011, in an effort to push forward a potential sale and redevelopment of the depot, Dan Stamper, spokesperson for Ambassador Bridge owner Manuel Moroun, announced plans to work with the City of Detroit on funding replacement of the tower's roof, and installing new windows on the structure. Stamper told the Detroit News: "... It would be much easier to help a developer to come up with a package to use the depot if some improvements were made."

Proposals and concepts for redevelopment in the past have included these potential uses:

• Trade Processing Center - One proposal suggested turning the station into a customs and international trade processing center due to its proximity to the Ambassador Bridge.

• Convention Center and Casino - Ambassador Bridge owner Manuel J. "Matty" Moroun proposed that Michigan Central Station be restored as the centerpiece of a new convention center, possibly combined with a casino. Such a project could cost $1.2 billion, including $300 million to restore the station. Dan Stamper, president of Detroit International Bridge, noted that the station should have been used as one of the city's casinos.

• Detroit Police Headquarters - In 2004 Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick announced that the city was pursuing options to relocate its police department headquarters and possibly consolidate other law enforcement offices to MCS. However, in mid-2005, the city cancelled the plan and chose to renovate its existing police headquarters.

• Michigan State Police Headquarters - In 2010, State Senator Cameron S. Brown and Mickey Bashfield, a government relations official for the building owner CenTra Inc., suggested that the station could become the Detroit headquarters of the Michigan State Police, include some United States Department of Homeland Security offices, and serve as a center for trade inspections.

Renovation estimates have ranged from $80 to $300 million. The Detroit Wayne County Port Authority has the ability to issue bonds and could take part in financing.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $244 million in grants for high-speed rail upgrades between Chicago and Detroit. A consortium of investors including the Canadian Pacific Railway has proposed a new larger rail tunnel capable of handling large double stacked freight cars under the Detroit River which could open in 2015. With the new tunnel emerging near the Michigan Central Station, a redeveloped station could play a role as a trade inspection facility.

On May 5, 2011, the Detroit International Bridge Company announced it engaged the Ann Arbor firm of Quinn Evans to oversee restoration of the roof and windows of the structure. Bridge Company vice chairman Matthew Moroun stated, “We hope this is just the beginning of a renaissance for the depot."

On June 6, 2011, partial asbestos abatement on the first floor began. The work will be conducted by Professional Abatement Services, Inc. of Melvindale, Michigan.

As of June 28, 2012, work lights have illuminated the main lobby nightly. Abatement of debris continues daily. The website http://talktothestation.com has been launched by the Michigan Central Station Preservation Society to provide a sounding board for community questions and suggestions.