# Michigan Central Station may actually be restored **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 13, 2015, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-central-station-may-actually-be-restored/727763 "2015-08-13T19:31:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2015, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-central-station-may-actually-be-restored/727763/1 "2015-08-13T19:31:05Z")
Not a particularly profound point, but It’s pretty cool if the old train station does actually get restored finally. > **[Michigan Central Depot gets windows; work still needed](https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2015/08/13/michigan-central-depot-tour/31618621/)** > > Michigan Central Depot, one of Detroit’s most famous ruins, is having 1,050 windows installed It was one of the coolest buildings in the Detroit area, and it has been really depressing watch it slowly decay over the years. (Slowly is only because it has tons of heavily reinforced concrete). It’s owned by an ancient billionaire who is a straight-up dick for the most part, and it seems pretty clear that he is only doing the minimum necessary at the slowest rate allowed to keep his absurd dream of a third bridge to Canada alive, but if it does get saved, or at the least stop deteriorating any more, that would be pretty sweet. I have no idea what useful purpose it could serve these days, but saving the architectural gems from Detroit’s golden days is worth it of itself IMO. Basic info: > **[Michigan Central Station](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_Central_Station)** > > Michigan Central Station (also known as Michigan Central Depot or MCS) is the historic former main intercity passenger rail station in Detroit, Michigan. Built for the Michigan Central Railroad, it replaced the original depot in downtown Detroit, which was shuttered after a major fire on December 26, 1913, forcing the still unfinished station into early service. Formally dedicated on January 4, 1914, the station remained open for business until the cessation of Amtrak service on January 6, 1988... ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2015, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-central-station-may-actually-be-restored/727763/2 "2015-08-13T19:56:05Z")
It would be wonderful if this iconic building could be restored, but the whole neighbourhood needs to be renovated too. It’s a pity, because it’s on the main road between downtown Detroit and Dearborn, both of which are in pretty good shape and attract visitors. (And that situation is why I’ve driven many times past the station, and thought what a tragedy it currently is.) ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2015, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-central-station-may-actually-be-restored/727763/3 "2015-08-13T20:19:20Z")
That’s a magnificent old Beaux-Arts building and deserves to live on in some capacity. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2015, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-central-station-may-actually-be-restored/727763/4 "2015-08-14T02:36:12Z")
To me, from the photo, it looks like a lovely old beaux-arts building with a huge eastern European monstrosity behind it. ---
**Author:** ![movingfinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@movingfinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/movingfinger)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2015, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-central-station-may-actually-be-restored/727763/5 "2015-08-14T06:58:09Z")
Did Albert Speer design the 18-story addition to the original station? ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2015, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-central-station-may-actually-be-restored/727763/6 "2015-08-14T09:26:26Z")
This is good news. However, from the wiki, a/ As recently as '09 the scoundrels of the City Council wanted to destroy it. b/ The top floors were never used, so why were they built ? c/ Why the hell are businessmen permitted to buy vast properties and leave them empty for decades, claiming money’s unimportant, they are striving for the right _use_ ? Mr. Maroun purchased it in 1996. Why not turn it into a cultural centre for Detroitards ? Art Museum, Science Museum, History Museum, Crime Museum, Art Gallery, other commercial galleries, free artist studios at the top for $1 rents, jewellers, gallerias, craftsmen shops, bespoke gunsmiths, cafes and restaurants, chemistry demonstrations, balloon rides, local governance by the inhabitants free from the City, libraries, cinemas, a theater or two, fountains, lectures on fine art, visiting travelling exhibitions, bowling rinks… It would probably pay for itself in a few years. Quicker if, whilst crime was discouraged by the local government ( such as mugging or shop-lifting ) a laxer policy was adopted to discreet private substance use. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2015, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-central-station-may-actually-be-restored/727763/7 "2015-08-14T10:18:29Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > c/ Why the hell are businessmen permitted to buy vast properties and leave them empty for decades, claiming money’s unimportant, they are striving for the right _use_ ? Owning private property is a right, not something that has to be continually justified. That said… > [@Claverhouse](#): > > Mr. Maroun purchased it in 1996. Matty Moroun is a grade-A+++ asshole and every day he isn’t in a prison cell is some kind of curse wrought upon the earth for its wickedness. Hopefully his bridge monopoly being busted sends him on a spiral into bankruptcy. > [@Claverhouse](#): > > Why not turn it into a cultural centre for Detroitards ? Art Museum, Science Museum, History Museum, Crime Museum, Art Gallery, other commercial galleries, free artist studios at the top for $1 rents, jewellers, gallerias, craftsmen shops, bespoke gunsmiths, cafes and restaurants, chemistry demonstrations, balloon rides, local governance by the inhabitants free from the City, libraries, cinemas, a theater or two, fountains, lectures on fine art, visiting travelling exhibitions, bowling rinks… > > It would probably pay for itself in a few years. Cities that are having serious trouble paying for things like teachers, firefighters, and running water don’t have the luxury of operating money pits like that. Even if such a shopping mall/museum/commune hybrid was profitable (which I seriously doubt), Detroit probably doesn’t have the money to float such enterprises loans of any term. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2015, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-central-station-may-actually-be-restored/727763/8 "2015-08-14T13:19:22Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > Owning private property is a right, not something that has to be continually justified. That said… Even were that true, which is fairly doubtful if a corporation bought up 50% of a town centre and laid it waste, when it comes to 500,000 sq ft of building, a town would be justified in prodding the owner with threats of compulsory purchase over the long decades. Maybe Mr. Maroun should have had to find a use _before_ being allowed to purchase it. I’m sure the New York property market and authorities would not have tolerated this as long as has Detroit. I would agree with you, and not say a word, if Mr. Maroun had left it clear as a nature park because he liked the pretty birdies; or if he used it for storage; or if he just liked ‘The Pleasure of Ruins’, which is a very Detroit thing. But the fact he purchased it for commercial reasons and is too inept to find a use **over 20 years** means control should be wrested away with compensation. This is not a large shop. > [@](#): > > Matty Moroun is a grade-A+++ asshole and every day he isn’t in a prison cell is some kind of curse wrought upon the earth for its wickedness. Hopefully his bridge monopoly being busted sends him on a spiral into bankruptcy. Well, I see he’s 88, which indicates the care of time will take care of things, and I’d hate to send someone that old back to jail; on the other hand, he’s got children to continue his life’s work… One thing from [**his**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_Moroun) wiki puzzled me: \* Critics suggest that Moroun’s opposition is fueled by the prospect of lost profits from duty-free gasoline sales at the bridge. These are exempt from about 60 cents per gallon in taxes although the pump price to consumers is only a few cents lower\*. How is it worthwhile to buy duty-free if the profit is frozen on to by the seller ? > [@](#): > > Cities that are having serious trouble paying for things like teachers, firefighters, and running water don’t have the luxury of operating money pits like that. Even if such a shopping mall/museum/commune hybrid was profitable (which I seriously doubt), Detroit probably doesn’t have the money to float such enterprises loans of any term. The City, or any other branch of government, need not be involved: just appoint one of those ‘City Managers’ America sometimes has in place of local government, part barker, part administrator, a cultured Trump if you will, and let him build it up through private finance, without thought of enriching himself. Many a skilled retiree wanting something to do would be adequate. \* The only overheads should be maintenance and administration, without commercial profit. I would point out that if doing this returned $1000 a year, that would be _more_ than has come from leaving it empty for 20 years; and if those studios are let at $1 a year, that’s still more than has ever been made before, since those upper stories were **never** occupied. Just trust the Detroitards not to turn it into Kowloon Walled City: have faith in the common people. - Whilst admiring much of Americana, I have never felt her bureaucracies were terribly _efficient_. Local government can be effective elsewhere, a la Joe Chamberlain and Birmingham ( England ), and even in America during the Progressive Era, but now it would be an encumbrance. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2015, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-central-station-may-actually-be-restored/727763/9 "2015-08-14T13:47:10Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > One thing from [**his**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_Moroun) wiki puzzled me: \* Critics suggest that Moroun’s opposition is fueled by the prospect of lost profits from duty-free gasoline sales at the bridge. These are exempt from about 60 cents per gallon in taxes although the pump price to consumers is only a few cents lower\*. > > How is it worthwhile to buy duty-free if the profit is frozen on to by the seller ? Mostly trucks. The bridge is heavily trafficked by trucks, and 5 cents a gallon makes a huge difference to fleets who buy thousands of gallons there a day. But those 55 cents per gallon into Matty’s pocket make it very profitable for the bastard. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2015, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-central-station-may-actually-be-restored/727763/10 "2015-08-14T14:59:16Z")
I find it hard to call him a bastard for simply looking out for his own best interests. Yeah, publicity, opposition to the governments funded bridges, but it’s not like he’s done anything evil. His companies employ thousands! ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2015, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-central-station-may-actually-be-restored/727763/11 "2015-08-14T16:06:38Z")
He isn’t a bastard for making a profit, He is a bastard for other reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2015, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-central-station-may-actually-be-restored/727763/12 "2015-08-15T07:10:55Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > I’m sure the New York property market and authorities would not have tolerated this as long as has Detroit. New York _has_ a property market. Detroit has acres upon acres of _very cheap_ land that _nobody wants_. > [@Claverhouse](#): > > The City, or any other branch of government, need not be involved: just appoint one of those ‘City Managers’ America sometimes has in place of local government, part barker, part administrator, a cultured Trump if you will, and let him build it up through private finance, without thought of enriching himself. Many a skilled retiree wanting something to do would be adequate. \* The only overheads should be maintenance and administration, without commercial profit. So, find a random billionaire, appoint him to turn some building into a museum commune, and the great deal he gets is that it can’t turn a profit and “only” has to pay for maintenance and administration on a gigantic dilapidated building. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2017, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-central-station-may-actually-be-restored/727763/13 "2017-09-14T01:07:23Z")
Bumping myself from a couple years, especially in light of the other thread where people think Detroit is still just a decaying wasteland > **[Michigan Central Station to host Detroit event](https://www.wxyz.com/news/detroit-homecoming/michigan-central-station-to-host-opening-night-for-detroit-homecoming)** > > What used to be a symbol of Detroit's decline is one step closer to seeing new life! It still not lined up for an actual constant use yet, but nice to see that grand old building is ready for simple public events. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2017, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-central-station-may-actually-be-restored/727763/14 "2017-09-18T00:41:44Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > Bumping myself from a couple years, especially in light of the other thread where people think Detroit is still just a decaying wasteland So, yeah, if you live in the trendy downtown core, it’s no longer a wasteland. But for the vast majority of the population, and the vaster, vaster majority of its area, it’s still a sad, depressing place. I know, you have to start somewhere, but if you’re only appealing to white trendsetters, it’s not a real improvement. I drive through “real” neighborhoods every day, and it depresses the hell out of me. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2017, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-central-station-may-actually-be-restored/727763/15 "2017-09-18T01:38:43Z")
So Detroit is just like every other city in the world.