WINNER FLATWORK SPECIAL INNOVATIVE

16-Apr-21-2025-03-34-29-3209-PM

Michigan Central Train Station

Location: Detroit, MI
Concrete Contractor: Commercial Contracting Corporation
Concrete Supplier: Superior Materials Holdings, LLC
Project Owner: Ford Motor Company

Michigan Central Station, the historic former intercity passenger rail station in Detroit, Michigan, was built for the Michigan Central Railroad and formally dedicated on January 4, 1914. Once the tallest rail station in the world, its Beaux-Arts architecture was designed by the same architects who worked on New York City’s Grand Central Terminal. The station included a train depot and a 230-foot, 13-story office tower with two mezzanine levels. Located in Detroit's Corktown district behind Roosevelt Park, the station served as a transportation hub until January 6, 1988, when Amtrak relocated its service.

Over the years, the station fell into severe disrepair. Multiple owners left the building neglected, resulting in broken windows, a failing roof, and extensive interior water damage. In May 2018, Ford Motor Company purchased the station for $90 million, envisioning it as the centerpiece of its new Corktown campus. Ford committed more than $740 million to an extensive renovation, culminating in the station's reopening on June 6, 2024.

Restoration Phases

Ford began restoration in December 2018 with Phase I, which focused on stabilizing the structure, drying out the building, and reinforcing columns and archways. Phase II, launched in May 2019, included masonry restoration of the tower and concourse, retiling the waiting room ceiling, and repairing structural steel. Advanced 3D scanning technology helped recreate intricate architectural details lost to damage and vandalism. Work on the masonry façade began in 2021. Commercial Contracting Corporation (CCC) and Superior Materials filled subfloors of the basement levels with flowable fill to stabilize the foundation. Though originally slated for completion in 2022, the project was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Station’s Future

In summer 2024, Ford moved employees from its Model e and Ford Integrated Services teams into three renovated floors within the station. Additional collaboration spaces will be available for other Southeast Michigan-based employees. The station now anchors the 30-acre Michigan Central district, a hub designed to attract innovative companies to Detroit. The 640,000-square-foot facility includes spaces dedicated to cultural, technological, and community initiatives, fostering collaboration among established businesses, startups, universities, students, and youth programs.

Michigan Central will focus on advancing mobility solutions to address major societal challenges and serve as a catalyst for regional economic growth. With its rich history and forward-thinking mission, the station stands as a symbol of Detroit’s resilience and innovation.