Early in December, Ford (
www.corporate.ford.com) began its renovation of the 105-year-old Michigan Central Station in the historic Corktown neighbourhood of Detroit.
The company says that by revitalising this landmark as the centrepiece of a new campus, it seeks to shape the future of transportation.
The three-phase project began with the ‘winterisation’ of the massive building, to dry it out from extensive water damage sustained over the years and to stabilise the structure.
Phase two will involve replacing mechanical and electrical systems and restoring exterior masonry.
"The final phase will see the grand hall of the station returned to its original grandeur to attract retailers and provide a “vibrant, inclusive public space for all”.
Having acquired the iconic train station in June, Ford plans to transform it and surrounding properties into a 1.2 million ft
2 innovation campus, where the company and its partners will work on autonomous- and electric-vehicle businesses, and design urban mobility services and solutions.
The project will bring about 2,500 Ford employees to Corktown — most from the company’s mobility team — and another 2,500 jobs from Ford’s partners and suppliers.
Ronald Staley — executive director of the Christmann-Bricker joint venture that was selected as the construction manager for the project — said: “The building is very lucky that Ford stepped in when it did. It would have been a lot more difficult — maybe impossible — to salvage five to 10 years down the road.
"The first year is going to be primarily about doing core and shell work, getting the building stabilised, concrete and steel fixed, and the building enclosed.”