30 replies to this topic

[d8alterego]

I can't possibly tell all of you how mad I am right now. The MCS is my favorite building in all of Michigan. So much beauty is in that building and all it needs is the right set of economic and social conditions to get it reused. The city has very little right to use public stimulus money to tear down a privately held building. Also, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places so I assume that it would be much harder to accomplish the city's goal.

One more thing. After yesterday's announcement that the president is onboard with high speed rail, there should be an open debate on the possibility of reopening this building back up as a train station. One of the regions that is considered for the federal funds is the midwest with Detroit being one of the cities on the list. Why tear down a perfectly good train station when you will need one for a high speed rail terminal. Also, we'd be saving a piece of our history.

The facebook page I am putting together on that idea here. If someone would like to be an Administrator with me on the page, just let me know.

Edited by d8alterego, 17 April 2009 - 10:48 AM.

[Lmichigan]

The city and state would first have to show interest in funding a lease for the rail line to the station, because they no longer use that rail, just to even begin to talk of reusing the station for passenger rail service.

[Jim856796]

A proper use cannot be found for the Michigan Central Station, and it will have to be imploded if Stanley Christmas's lawsuit is unsuccessful. They should build a major development on the site which nvolves improving the street grid in its neighbourhood.

[ZachariahDaMan]

Yesterday I noticed some work going on infront of MCS, does anyone know what they are doing?

[wolverine]

They are redoing Roosevelt Park.  On my way back from Canada today I was stock in a traffic jam on Vernor.  I noticed the police were yelling at people trying to go inside.

[kermit]

Is there was any news on MCS?

I apologize for the parasitic post, I am wayyy out of town but quite intrigued by the building.

[ZachariahDaMan]

There was a couple articles in todays Detroit Free Press about how Kansas City and Nashville had 2 abandoned train stations and how they revived them.

Also, this has already been talked about before but designers say that the 16-story tower should be demolished and the grand hall saved.

http://www.freep.com...-train-stations

[Jim856796]

Nothing in the MCS can be saves, it should be demolished altogether. All efforts to save the station have failed and now it's time for the station to move on to heaven.

[kdub1]

Quote

The city and state would first have to show interest in funding a lease for the rail line to the station, because they no longer use that rail, just to even begin to talk of reusing the station for passenger rail service

There is at least one rail operator who has expressed interest in using MCS as a stop on the Midwest HSR line (go to page 26 to see what SNCF says about the importance that historic stations play).

Quote

A proper use cannot be found for the Michigan Central Station, and it will have to be imploded if Stanley Christmas's lawsuit is unsuccessful.

Absolutely false! In addition to the station being a stop on the MWHSR line, here are other things that a renewed Michigan Central could be used for:

Ground level--Specialty train travel (rail-to-cruise service, new Auto Train route to Florida, special trains that operate seasonally, and international service), rail museum, rail park for viewing passing trains, fast food outlet, a restaurant dedicated to MI-based foods, gift shop, customs office for international travel

2nd floor--Shopping center/grocery store, a moderately priced restaurant

3rd floor--Upscale restaurant, shopping centers, specialty art gallery/museum

4th floor--Convention center

5th, 6th floors--Hotel

7th, 8th, 9th floors--Office space, private development

The other floors could be demolished. A parking deck could be built outside of the station. As for other uses, the Ann Arbor commuter rail project could eventually make a stop there, and the station can be a mini hub for local transportation.


The fact that the city has marked a building that is a part of the NRHP for destruction is way beyond criminal. Either a landmark is historically protected, or the designation is an entire joke and the NRHP has no significance.

Edited by kdub1, 02 October 2010 - 10:37 PM.

[wolverine]

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Edited by wolverine, 10 November 2010 - 12:04 AM.

[wolverine]

kdub1, on 02 October 2010 - 10:36 PM, said:

There is at least one rail operator who has expressed interest in using MCS as a stop on the Midwest HSR line (go to page 26 to see what SNCF says about the importance that historic stations play).




Absolutely false! In addition to the station being a stop on the MWHSR line, here are other things that a renewed Michigan Central could be used for:

Ground level--Specialty train travel (rail-to-cruise service, new Auto Train route to Florida, special trains that operate seasonally, and international service), rail museum, rail park for viewing passing trains, fast food outlet, a restaurant dedicated to MI-based foods, gift shop, customs office for international travel

2nd floor--Shopping center/grocery store, a moderately priced restaurant

3rd floor--Upscale restaurant, shopping centers, specialty art gallery/museum

4th floor--Convention center

5th, 6th floors--Hotel

7th, 8th, 9th floors--Office space, private development

The other floors could be demolished. A parking deck could be built outside of the station. As for other uses, the Ann Arbor commuter rail project could eventually make a stop there, and the station can be a mini hub for local transportation.


The fact that the city has marked a building that is a part of the NRHP for destruction is way beyond criminal. Either a landmark is historically protected, or the designation is an entire joke and the NRHP has no significance.

There is no 2nd and 3rd floors.  They don't even exist.  There's a mezzanine above the concourse level, but it's incredibly small.  Enough for maybe a few offices....possibly a small restaurant.

The 3rd floor is mostly a dead floor.  It's built, but not useable since there's large bulkheads beneath the transfer girders.  That floor is mainly plenum space to allow enough structural depth for the tower, but you cannot occupy this space.  It's impossible.  There access passages on each side of the thermal windows to storage rooms and the attic, but that's about it.

4th floor convention center?  WHAT?

5th and 6th floors hotel? A 20 room hotel?  How could that possibly bring any income.  There's no market for a boutique hotel that small.  Just fill the rest of the tower with this use.  Done.

And demolishing the other floors is pointless.  Demolish the entire building anyway if you propose such an option.

Edited by wolverine, 10 November 2010 - 12:03 AM.