I kind of knew this was comming as William Ford of the Ford Automobile Family stated he wanted to see passenger trains at Michigan Central Station again and usually the Ford Family gets what it wants in Detroit.
http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2019/04/05-study-explores-possibility-of-returning-amtrak-to-detroits-michigan-central-station
I can't imagine Amtrak going back there, unless the Toronto extension happens. Even then that would only be a train in each direction per day, if the Wolverines continue on their route to the northern suburbs. Maybe if the Ann Arbor commuter trains ever happen, Ford would be happy with that.
MidlandMikeFord would be happy with that.
Ford made a very generic statement to the press I wish I could quote but I forgot exactly what he said but he said basically after restoration he would like to see the first floor again revert to being a train station again and that was part of the lure of his company getting involved in the restoration as well as the leasing of all the upper floors of the station...........because the folks that worked there would have a train station on the first floor. He did not specify number of trains but I have my doubts he will be satisfied with just one a day in each direction. I suspect your correct about getting Michigan to restart commuter rail service, maybe with a kick in the pants by the Ford Family. They along with GM are big U of M supporters so my guess would be the Ann Arbor service. I don't think they will mess too much with the existing Amtrak service. We'll see though.
Ford's have been very active in Detroit Development though. They built that whole Renesciance Center complex that General Motors occupies in about 1975 I think it was built. Also, outlays to preserve their family homes as tourist attractions as well as other iconic structures in Detroit. Donations to Greenfield Village, etc.
It's already been speculated he expects to blow close to $1 Billion on the building restoration. I am wondering with a figure that high if he is just spending on the station building by itself or making it the centerpiece of a small campus of buildings..........also, suspect the latter. The MC Station structure does need a lot of money to bring it back but nowhere near $1 Billion. Also, a question of how much of that money is Automobile company money and how much is Ford Family grants. Ford Motor Company is not exactly in the best financial shape so the money might not all be sourced from there.
CMStPnP If your Ford speculation is correct that might change the whole dynamic and train service that Ford would support. Ford might support VIA service to MC. Have that service to connect to CHI trains. As well they would want at least one HrSR, probably more to Toledo - maybe either the LSL or Capital ? If the TPL service is quick enough and there is mitigation of the slow spots on the Michigan service the result could be no loss of schedule TOL <> CHI ?
Of course your commuter rail proposals as well. Getting GM in on the proposals may be very important. Light rail there will help as well.
So that recent unpleasantness about the poisoning of the water and children in Flint is done, over, and paid for? And the kids are all better now? The new water system is in place and fully funded?
It's good to know Michigan has plenty of money, and there will be state money involved, to make the dreams of a local aristocratic family come true.
NKP guy So that recent unpleasantness about the poisoning of the water and children in Flint is done, over, and paid for? And the kids are all better now? The new water system is in place and fully funded? It's good to know Michigan has plenty of money, and there will be state money involved, to make the dreams of a local aristocratic family come true.
NKP guy So that recent unpleasantness about the poisoning of the water and children in Flint is done, over, and paid for? And the kids are all better now? The new water system is in place and fully funded?
Are you arguing it is better to let Detroit sit and fester along with Flint than to start rebuilding Detroit? Flint had it's chance to enter bankruptcy but City Officials decided not to (dumb decision that was unsustainable)...........no matter the state still intervened and took over. Now the state is refusing to take Flint through bankruptcy and would rather fight numerous court cases.......which I think prolongs the misery even longer.
Detroit is getting the attention because it declared bankruptcy, the idiots in local city management were largely replaced with trustee appointees and now people view the city as a worthy investment again. Flint should do the same and until Flint does so it will continue to bump along in misery. So the argument has to be made to the emergency city manager who is a state appointee...........who currently is resisting bankruptcy.
Oh and readers might ask, why Detroit choose bankruptcy via state appointee and why Flint does not. Here is the corrupt answer: Detroits obligations were largely to private companies and individuals. Flints obligations are held largely by the state of Michigan. If Flint does a haircut of it's bond obligations, the State has to make up the loss of the recieveable via taxes or some other revenue collection method. So it is in the States interest to see that Flint pays 100 cents on the dollar if at all possible. I think it is all foolish but I am not a Michigan politician.
As a railfan and as an Amtak customer I would like to see Detroit's station restored to its full glory. And as a reasonable person I'm not in favor of Detroit "festering" with Flint until Flint's water and lead poisoning problems are solved. After all, today's Lesson in church included the quote, "The poor you will always have with you." I fully take your point, CMStPnP, and I wish Detroit and Michigan well.
But with so much else on Michigan's plate, as it were, I'm surprised to see this project being considered.
Maybe I actually envy Detroit and Michigan even thinking of this project. Here in Ahia, it'd never see the light of day.
The Ann Arbor commuter proposal has been around for years before Ford bought MC depot. Several years ago MDOT bought a couple of dozen Metra bi-levels and refurbished them. They have been stored for years. The problem is that the suburbs never wanted to get together with Detroit on anything to do with transit.
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