Detroit Council votes to demolish Michigan Central Depot, charge owner (to buy, live)

[Vicman]

Parts of demolished Detroit could become state parks.

However this particular building should not be demolished. Instead Detroit City Council should light a fire under this man using legal means, until he does what WE, the people, want.

[uggabugga]

who exactly is this matty maroun guy, what's his story?

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by uggabugga

who exactly is this matty maroun guy, what's his story?

There are a lot of articles about him. A lot foe INTERNET stories and local anecdotes. He is very rich. He seems to think that he can do whatever he wants to.

A couple of examples that Can be found on the INTERNET (I do not know whether they are accurate):

1. After 9-11 traffic on the bridge got held up so Maroon built some additional inspection areas and turned them over to the government in order to speed things up on his bridge. He then sought and received reimbursement for building the areas. Later it came out that he built them with no permits or approvals and apparently built them partially on land that belongs to the City of Detroit.

2. Maroon wants to build a twin to the ambassador bridge. Canada does not want tit in that location (Michigan wants it elsewhere as well, but less vehemently so). Maroon apparently wanted to buy a quaint neighborhood in Canada where a lot of university students found housing, but it was too expensive for him. He bought a few houses and allowed them to become derelict and homeless people moved in. real estate values fell so he bought more houses and allowed them to become slums. Eventually prices fell so much that he could buy the entire area and tear everything down to make room for the bridge that Canada does not want in that location.

3. Although he has been told that the new bridge to Canada will be built elsewhere, he started building a twin bridge. On the US side the abutments are almost completed. I have heard that they are under construction on the Canadian side as well.

4. He reportedly took over and close part of a Detroit City park claiming that he needs it for security for the bridge. However he is reportedly now using the land to stockpile materials and store equipment for his twin bridge project.

5. The internet and local discussions abound with anecdotes about him callously pushing ahead with his own desires with no care for how his business interests will effect surrounding residents and towns. It would appear that he does what he wants when he wants where he wants.

6. His companies reportedly earned revenues of $1 billion per year. that is probably down some now, but he has plenty of money.

7. He was reportedly heavily connected to the power base in the City of Detroit. However that has probably changed.

8. He created a railroad company (Trenton Railroad) that reportedly does nothing at all but runs a few trains around once in a while so that he can continue to claim status as a railroad. (railroads are governed by Federal law, exempt from state and local ordinances and have the power of eminent domain).

I am not certain whether any of this can ever be absolutely confirmed (the existence of th bridge abutments is hard to deny), but I can say that I could not find anything or anyone that has anything good to say about him other than his PR guys.

[uggabugga]

coldjensens, thanks for that info.

is there any indication what he was/is planning to do with the building? just hold onto it until it crumbles?

clearly detroit is in no financial position to renovate MCS, but it would surely be a shame to lose such a majestic building

[Coldjensens]

I think that he was hoping that Detroit would want it for a police headquarters and he could sell it ot them at a huge profit. However that idea died. Now it just sits. It was used int he movie "transformers. Maybe it will be featured in other movies (hopefully not as an exploding building scene)

[Fenrir2008]

Thus is Detroit's track record with historic structures and places.

* Gem Theater - Saved when it was moved to a new location.
* Belle Isle Aquarium
* Detroit Zoo - Saved when taken over by Detroit Zoological Society
* Rackham Golf Course - Saved after covenant enforced by Michigan Appeals Court

In a country like France or Germany, a building like Central Depot would have been turned into something else like a museum.

[cASe SenSiTive]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

It is my understanding that the building is owned by Manny Moroun. (No idea of the spelling). He owns the ambassador bridge and at least one trucking company. He has plenty of money

He likely has enough money to restore the building. But what would you propose it be restored to? It's pretty clear that Detroit doesn't need a passenger train station. It's not like that area would be a mecca for shopping or entertainment. It's not really close to anything else. Condos? Yeah... because sinking a couple hundred million dollars into a condo project when local real estate is in the toilet is a GREAT idea.

Spending money on a project without any kind of decent shot at making it back sounds like something the council would be behind.

[cASe SenSiTive]

Originally Posted by Fenrir2008

Thus is Detroit's track record with historic structures and places.

* Gem Theater - Saved when it was moved to a new location.
* Belle Isle Aquarium
* Detroit Zoo - Saved when taken over by Detroit Zoological Society
* Rackham Golf Course - Saved after covenant enforced by Michigan Appeals Court

In a country like France or Germany, a building like Central Depot would have been turned into something else like a museum.

In France or Germany is would probably still be a thriving train station.

[Cliffie]

Originally Posted by coldjensens

lets start a campaign: "demolish the council, preserve the depot"

the depot adds more to detroit than the council does.

hear here!

[emu5088]

hey everyone. I heard about this situation and I am heartbroken. This is a piece of our heritage and should not be torn down. I have never been to Detroit before, but I am willing to drive 4 hrs just to see the depot before it's gone. In Buffalo, there's a nonprofit in place to protect and restore it's old train station. It's a shame Detroit doesn't have something like this. Before I visit it I am wondering if there's anyone out there who can give me a tour of the place. I also want to know how well patrolled is this place by police and what is the penalty for being caught trespassing? I will be taking many photos to help save its memory. If you know of anyone that can help, reply asap or email me at rpgreen@buffalo.edu I will also try to help spread the word about this.