Detroit Off Topic

[dtown]

is there any plans to make a new station if the proposed light rail/commuter rail get built?

[RustTown]

Well,

MDOT has been planning the New Center Intermodal Station across from the current Amtramk station for a few years, now. I think what's been holding that up is the Feds since no one can seem to decided for any forseeable time the future of Amtramk. If built, it is designed so that it could also be a northern terminus/station for a light rail line up Woodward.

[dtown]

and where is the current station at?

i think it would be sooo cool if Detroit had a nice, modern, large staion to greet train passengers coming to Detroit, especially if that midewestern high speed rail line ever gets built( which would be awesome), and maybe connect them with the light rail line up woodward if it gets built.

[Allan]

The current train station is a tacky little building in New Center.

[RustTown]

Very tacky, and the siteplan for the proposed intermodal station doesn't look much better. People would be hard pressed, these days with the decline of Amtrak, to find a good station. Heck, the one here in Lansing (East Lansing proper) is literally a little shack very similar to Detroit's and tucked out of sight and out of mind. If you didn't know where it was, you'd never think it was a train station, and it's nearly totally invisible from the road. If Detroit is banking on Amtrak to get a station built for possible light rail, they'll be waiting for years to come.

[dtown]

does anyone have a pic of the station? id like to see how bad it is myself.

Well, if the Detroit-AA commuter rail gets built, wont it need a new station for it?

[RustTown]

Why? Isn't the Ann Arbor to Detroit line supposed to terminate in New Center, and use the Amtrak Station/Intermodal Station in New Center if it's ever built?

[dtown]

well, if the station is the little POS that i hear it is, wont that discourage people to ride it?

[statedude3]

I've been out of town for a week, so I need someone to verify for me, but is it true that the Pontiac ad at CMP has been replaced?

[Allan]

It is in the process of being replaced. With what? I have no idea...maybe someone else can fill us in....

[Michi]

It's been painted over in a tan color. I can't verify if it will be replaced with anything. Hopefully, a building.

Also, a new sign is up at the site of the Port Authority Terminal...eh? eh? fingers crossed.

And a petty little tid bit...the Starbucks sign is up on both corners of the Ellington (Woodward and Mack). Nice to see!

[dtown]

i saw this show on the history channel today about moving buildings, and they showed how they moved the gem theater. it was pretty cool. It was actually a world record for a while. Anybody else see that show before?

[BarGal]

i saw this show on the history channel today about moving buildings, and they showed how they moved the gem theater. it was pretty cool. It was actually a world record for a while. Anybody else see that show before?

My company had a meeting one time at the Gem and Century Theatres a few years back. We got a tour and saw a film on how they moved it.

They have a video about the move here: Gem & Century Theatre Web Site

[Allan]

I've seen that show, I think. I don't even own a tv anymore, so it would've been at least two years ago.

Btw, the Pontiac Solstice advertisement in CMP has been replaced with a new Solstice ad.

[wolverine]

Here's a picture of Detroit's POS Amtrak station on Baltimore Ave. I've gotten off the train here twice. They are attempting this old small-town friendly sort of style inside. It was cheaply done, terrible.

The exterior looks surprisingly smaller than what it is. It seems a lot bigger inside, but still hardly comparable to Michigan Central Station.

[Michi]

FYI, the new mural on Cadillac Tower is similar to the last one (a car ad) only it is with bright, yellow paint.

[RustTown]

Here's a picture of Detroit's POS Amtrak station on Baltimore Ave. I've gotten off the train here twice. They are attempting this old small-town friendly sort of style inside. It was cheaply done, terrible.

The exterior looks surprisingly smaller than what it is. It seems a lot bigger inside, but still hardly comparable to Michigan Central Station.

You think that's bad? Here's Lansing/East Lansing's newer station:

It makes me sick how much the government has pretty much crippled passenger rail in this country between many cities. Though there was a huge drop in popularity, the government is in essence trying to kill Amtrak by neglect.

The old stations here in the city were much better.

Lansing Union Depot / Pere Marquette and Michigan Central Depot (now a restaurant)

Lansing Grand Trunk Western Depot (vacant)

Edited August 7, 2006 by Lmichigan

[Zissou]

Ill take dripping mustard over dripping blood any day.

[Michi]

Isn't the E. Lansing station closed now, or does the train still go between Lansing and Toronto? I know the Chicago route has been discontinued since my mom and dad used it during my sister's first year at NWU.

[RustTown]

Isn't the E. Lansing station closed now, or does the train still go between Lansing and Toronto? I know the Chicago route has been discontinued since my mom and dad used it during my sister's first year at NWU.

Nope, the Chicago route is still open. The whole thing is always busy.

[Michi]

Hmmm...I will have to tell my mom and dad. They're leaving from Battle Creek on Monday because I think they thought E. Lansing was no longer in service.

[dtown]

wow, thats a really small train station, i think ive seen bigger bus stations than that.

[Michi]

Any of you urban explorers know of the 6 people who were arrested early this morning for trespassing and vandalizing and documenting it at old Tiger Stadium? I hope it wasn't anyone we know.

:angry.

[Allan]

It's nobody I know. I do know people who've been inside TS, but they didn't steal any seats or smoke any pot....

[Ramcharger]

While I was at the Lions game last night I noticed a crack in the concrete running down the corner of a stairway from the last row of the lower deck all the way down to the field. Is this normal or is this an indication of some major structural problems?