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Could the hulking Michigan Central Station soon be brought back to life? One local media outlet says it's possible, thanks to Ford Motor Company.
Crain's Detroit Business reports that sources have confirmed the automotive company is in talks to buy the idling structure off Michigan Avenue in Detroit. Ford did not confirm or deny the report, saying only that it plans to build on its presence in Corktown, where it's redeveloping a building to house more than 200 employees.
"At this time, Ford is focused on locating our autonomous vehicle and electric vehicle business and strategy teams, including Team Edison, to the Factory in Detroit’s historic Corktown neighborhood," the company said in a statement. "While we anticipate our presence over time will grow as our (autonomous vehicle/electric vehicle) teams begin moving downtown in May, we have nothing further to announce at this time."
A revamped 500,000-square-foot train station could reportedly house an additional 1,000 workers.
The structure is currently owned by the Moroun family. The president of the family's company, Crown Enterprises, told Crain's it has been meeting with different groups interested in the building, including one just last week. It could did not confirm Ford as a possible buyer.
The old train depot has been abandoned for three decades. In recent years, it has received a face lift in the form of new windows. Crain's reports Crown Enterprises says it has spent more than $8 million over the past five years to abate the building, build a freight elevator, and install the more than 1,000 windows.
