For three decades the Michigan Central train station sat vacant in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood, falling into deep decay. Then in 2018, Ford Motor Company purchased the station to begin transforming the iconic building and surrounding area into a campus for mobility and innovation.  

Ford put $950 million into the campus, which includes Michigan Central Station, New Lab at Michigan Central, the surrounding parks and other amenities in the area, a company spokesman said. The six-year renovation took approximately 3,100 construction workers. During the process, millions of gallons of water were removed from the building. 

The reopening of Michigan Central Station on June 6 is being celebrated with a concert featuring notable Detroit artists like Big Sean, Jack White, Diana Ross, the Detroit Youth Choir and several others. The concert is being produced by Eminem and Paul Rosenberg. After June 16, the first floor will be open for tours on Fridays and Saturdays through the summer. 

One Detroit’s Will Glover and Chris Jordan took a tour led by Michigan Central CEO Josh Sirefman and Head of Place Melissa Dittmer, who leads planning, design, construction and development of places and spaces in Michigan Central. The pair discuss the restoration process and the building’s history. 

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