Detroit's old Michigan Central Train Station

[hobojim]

All it would take is for Brooksie to want it and Monica would claim it as a jewel of Det-RIOT.

[jukeman45]

No one requires palatial splendor and opulence just to be able to board a train.

Absolutely correct. That sort of thing is wasted on anything housing something less glorious than the U.S. government or possibly a corporate headquarters.

We'll let you know when the wrecking ball is headed toward the Durand union station so you can fly home and watch.

[TSB]

It is that implied quality (flaw ?) of human nature that brings us "class warfare"
every four years.

Both the preceding initial statement and response probably violate the civility
rules of the board. (Which I randomly break.)

[GP30M4216]

You know AZ, some people make their entire living saving, restoring, and renovating old buildings and historic sites. I'm studying to be one of them. Trying to put me out of a job before I even have one? Saving and renovating historic structures is actually a huge advantage and can be a significant economic booster for a particular area. Why demolish something old and well built, but needs some love, to replace it with something new and with cheaper materials, for a while lot more? If you demolish an old building, the debris only adds to our ever growing landfills, where is has 0 chance of ever being useful again. Not to mention the embodied energy in a building that is already constructed. Michigan actually promoted historIC preservation through the recent change in the tax credit codes allowing for a higher amount of state and federal credits which can piggyback and make all the difference in some projects. If MCS was a 1950s shopping mall closed in 1988 on the same site, would anyone be arguing for it's preservation? They will never build another Michigan Central Depot again, because as was said, people can board as a misplaced bus shelter (Birmingham or New Buffalo). But should they? Don't Birmingham-Troy AND New Buffalo currently have plans to replace these things because they are seen as inadequate? SHOULD we really be boarding trains from a glorified cube of plexiglass? We could, but the public generally agrees that they don't want to. And finally, what grand plan is there for the MCS site when and if the depot comes down? Grand Beaux Arts Roosevelt Park leading up to... a fenced off pad of cement or gravel lot filling with trash? I don't think so! I'm going to step off my little soapbox now...

>>>All for saving MCS, whether renovated/restored or simply left to marvel at and reflect upon.

[TSB]

We'll let you know when the wrecking ball is headed toward the Durand
union station so you can fly home and watch.

No need to invite me, it won't mean that much to me. I do, however, respect
(without supporting) your feelings for it. I care more about the memory of
people I have met there than the place itself.

[azimmer]

That has to be one of the most arrogant, not to mention ignorant, statements I have ever read. Ever.

I was almost expecting a response like this one. My only reply is that you obviously haven't gotten around much in life. The statements are rather mild compared to what they could have been.

But in any case, so what? Arrogance should not be of concern to anyone -- except the crude and unsophisticated. It is only the message, and not how the message is delivered, that is important.

some people make their entire living saving, restoring, and renovating old buildings and historic sites. I'm studying to be one of them... Saving and renovating historic structures is actually a huge advantage and can be a significant economic booster for a particular area.

Every building that now stands will eventually become a historic site. We cannot preserve all of them. To even try would be foolish.

The MC Station is a hopeless case. If there were half a chance then perhaps I would join the popular chorus and say "go for it." But the most sensible solution is only to bring it down.

Maybe we should convert the MC Station into the new home for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Culture? In Detroit? It's almost a paradox. Yet there are those who would shed tears over the loss of the MC ruin. But if billions were spent for its salvation, how many of those weepers would pay their regular respects with weekend visits, subscriptions, and etc.?

AZ

[SD80MAC]

Wow, sir, just wow. You continue to amaze me! I think you've got that crude and unsophisticated thing a bit backwards. You may have worded your post "nicer" than it could've been, but your message remains the same. Apparently I'm not the only one who hasn't been around much in life!

As much as I would like to see that station presevered, I agree that it's a lost cause and it should really be torn down. But you preach as if preservation has no purpose at all (please, correct me if I'm wrong)! The very thought makes me laugh! Calling preservationists nostalgia freaks? That's a bit below the belt, wouldn't you say?

[Raildudes dad]

I doubt if anyone posting on this board has the expertise to pass judgment on whether this building is past saving. I've looked at the pictures and it's a shame that it's been vandalized like it has. But is is past the point of restoration? I don't know. It will cost a lot of money to restore it, no question on that but how much would it cost to build a new building with the same usable space?

[ns8401]

A Nostalgia freak in the sense that you only save what you have experienced and have some fondness for maybe? I'll be all for preserving this board when it comes time Seriously I don't know that his comment hits below the belt... but if a preservationist wasn't nostalgic at some point in the process it may very well take the punch out of his or her mission.

Sad but fair point: how many people wanting it saved would regularly visit?

As full disclosure I wish it was savable but I don't see good return for the 80-300 Million it would cost to renovate it. I hate to see it torn down but it looks like it's time.

As for AZimmer any chance you could moderate the hit on people with fond memories from their lives? Maybe show some appreciation?

Raildudes dad- The way I was looked at it was from an economic perspective especially because of the high price tag. I only question the feasibility of a renovation, not that it couldn't be done, it most DEFINITELY could, as the steel superstructure is from an era when they overcompensated the steel strength and made very sturdy buildings in general. For me it's cost and not physical condition.

[OwlCaboose2853]

Still save Detroit MCRR Depot!
Detroit man files lawsuit against demolition of rail depot

[Crow T Robot]

There was a good idea in the Free Press that said they sould knock down the office structure but leave the Station section intacted. This would probably cost more but the station could then be renovated/restored and maybe made into the new Amtrak/Greyhound Station for Detroit.

[OwlCaboose2853]

Still save Detroit MCRR Depot!
Detroit man files lawsuit against demolition of rail depot

Who has a pet put in scary depot? Is your pet or your friends?

[TSB]

Strange, I hired three guys that worked in that place for Conrail. All three had the
same position consecutively and hated it. They were easy to lure away. That was in
the mid to late 70s. John Slivka, Phil Rutledge and John Bagley. Good guys, they
stayed at Grand Trunk for a long time. Except Bagley, a tree he was cutting down
in Port Huron fell on him and he was killed.

[GTW6401]

There was a good idea in the Free Press that said they sould knock down the office structure but leave the Station section intacted. This would probably cost more but the station could then be renovated/restored and maybe made into the new Amtrak/Greyhound Station for Detroit.

Well they only took down half of TIger Stadium and that looks so dumb now only having the area around the infield remaining. The current greyhound station in Detroit isnt that old and is closer to downtown and the casinos.

[hoborich]

You know AZ, some people make their entire living saving, restoring, and renovating old buildings and historic sites. I'm studying to be one of them. Trying to put me out of a job before I even have one? Saving and renovating historic structures is actually a huge advantage and can be a significant economic booster for a particular area.

But not that area. Detroit is not coming back. Not in our lifetimes. The morons who elected Kwame, and Monica, and Barbara Rose are still alive and well, and they ain't going anywhere, anytime soon.
I would also like to see the station saved. But it would be a diamond necklace on a goat!

[GTW6401]

Detroit is not coming back. Not in our lifetimes

That’s for sure. There are parts of the city near Indian Village with vacant and burned houses that were built 5 years ago. I want to see Detroit succeed, but you also have to be realistic about things too. It’s not 1950 anymore and those who live there and elected officials need to realize that.

[J T]

Part of the solution of saving Detroit is to stop the breeding of the individuals who continue to drag that city down into a cesspool. The more they breed, the longer this problem will continue. Let 'em die off, bulldoze everything and start over.

[hoborich]

Even the black middle class bailed out of Detroit years ago!

[CAT345C]

Part of the solution of saving Detroit is to stop the breeding of the individuals who continue to drag that city down into a cesspool. The more they breed, the longer this problem will continue. Let 'em die off, bulldoze everything and start over.

89x discussed this a week or so ago, just lift the common sense laws such as seat belts and helments for a year or two and natural selection will take its course then we will have no more problems.

[OwlCaboose2853]

PANORAMIC IMAGES: Take a closer look at the Michigan Train Depot in Detroit