First public tours of Michigan Central Station: 'Spectacular,' 'off the charts,' 'so cool'

[marmar]

(Detroit Free Press) Like pilgrims in a cathedral, thousands of visitors from metro Detroit and beyond trekked to the Michigan Central Station on Friday to marvel at the restored beauty of the longtime eyesore.



They took in every detail from the polished floors to the majestic ceilings to the craftsmanship that went into the original clock. The mood was festive as people moved through the building. Dramatic music played in a loop ending with a voice telling them that trains were pulling into the station.



"You see the work they did out here: They re-created everything the right way,” said Tom Toft, as he waited outside for his tour to begin. "It's spectacular."

Toft toured with his wife, Renee, and her cousin, Sylvia Ross-Schultz and her husband, Tom Schultz. The families had relatives who worked in the building back in the day.



“We’re so glad to see it getting so much better, and it's beautiful. … It’s just in my heart, it’s been the neatest thing,” said Ross-Schultz. “It’s another crown jewel in the renovation of Detroit.” ................(more)

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2024/06/08/michigan-central-public-tours-rave-reviews/74013320007/

[Botany]

1. As Governor Shapiro (D) of Pennsylvania said after getting the freeway fixed in Philadelphia

We get shit done.

Now who is in charge in Michigan again?

This is nice to see I remember seeing pictures of the station in its heyday and it was
magnificent and the pictures of the train station a few years ago and it had fallen into
ruins.


For the people of Michigan and maybe across the Bridge in Ontario who worked so
hard and smartly to bring this off ….

Btw I remember seeing pictures of the falling down plaster work in the station and
now they fixed it.


Btw the Detroit Opera House is worth seeing too.

This really good news.

[mn9driver]

2. Bill Ford is mainly responsible for this.

He’s a rarity among hereditary CEO’s (edit-Chairman of the board, actually) due to his progressive leanings. He actually believes Ford has an obligation to make life better for their communities; a philosophy which many of Ford’s second level management doesn’t share.

The reason Bill still has the job is because his family owns 51percent of the company.

[BComplex]

3. There needs to be a sign that reads: "This is Michigan when we elect democrats!"

[LisaM]

4. This is why I think preservation is so important.

Beauty is essential, and beauty in a publicly accessible space is essential. It brings joy. They understand this better in Europe, I think.

I loved the depot even when it looked like ruin porn. It still had grandeur. But this....this is next level.

It breaks my heart when buildings that could be saved are torn down, especially for the ugly crap developers throw up now.

[bif]

5. I'm touring it tomorrow.

Really looking forward to it.

[bif]

6. Ford did an amazing job restoring this historic gem!

And to think it was slated for demolition just a few years ago. We've lost so much of our history in this town, it's nice to see a success story for once!

[marmar]

7. Lots of success stories lately, honestly.

[bif]

8. I'm still pissed that Dan Gilbert tore down the National Theater.