LIFE FOR LANDMARK
Moroun wants trains back
Passenger trains have not stopped at downtown Detroit’s landmark Michigan Central Station since 1988.
Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Moroun in 1995 took over as owner of the vacant building, which has since become an abandoned eyesore and blight on the landscape.
But the owner’s son, Matthew Moroun, indicated recently he wants to bring passenger trains back to the former Amtrak station, which the family in recent years has taken small steps to restore by replacing windows and installing new elevators.
As part of his wish list, Moroun included hopes for a connection to Canada so passengers could travel through the rail tunnel — which exits next to the station — and travel through Windsor on a Toronto-to-Chicago route.
But a cross-border rail service does not appear to be on anyone’s radar — including owners of the 107-year-old rail tunnel and backers of a dormant US$400-million Detroit River Tunnel Partnership proposal to build a larger WindsorDetroit rail tunnel.
The DRTP — a partnership between Canadian Pacific Railway and Borealis Infrastructure Trust operated by the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System — over a decade ago seemed to have gained traction in seeing a new rail tunnel constructed locally.
Environmental assessments were completed, but the project stalled largely due to lack of government support — funding that was needed to make the border project economically feasible.
The existing rail tunnel is used extensively for freight by CP Railway and is not available for passenger use.
A new larger rail tunnel would not only create use for larger double-stack freight cars, but also advance the prospect of passenger rail either in the new tube or the old tunnel, which would have increased availability.
“The Detroit River Tunnel Partnership believes that the WindsorDetroit corridor is a key trade link between Canada and the United States,” said Neil Hrab, a public affairs manager for OMERS and DRTP spokesman.
Hrab would not address the issue of passenger rail.
“DRTP is committed to working with stakeholders on both sides of the border on ways to further improve the efficiency, timeliness and consistency of regional trade,” Hrab said. “DRTP welcomes all constructive suggestions regarding how we can, by working together, achieve these goals.”
David Cree, CEO for the Windsor Port Authority, a partner in the rail tunnel project, said there has not been much news about the project of late. But he hoped working out an “arrangement” to accommodate passenger rail service would be part of the conversation when the time comes for a new tunnel.
“We think (a new rail tunnel) is critical for the future development of the city,” Cree said. “There has been so much emphasis about a bridge, but this is just as important for future industrial and commercial development of the region. Almost all rail traffic now is becoming double-stack (rail cars).”
Matthew Moroun recently told Crain’s Detroit Business he will pursue feasibility of bringing back passenger train service to Michigan Central.
“It’s crazy, right?” Moroun told Crain’s. “The idea that we’re most focused on now, the one that seems to make sense, is in the name of the building and it’s what it used to be used for.
“If we decide to really push this ... it’s to see if I can get folks to embrace it, that future vision. We need to put the depot back on the map.”
Moroun was hopeful the train station could connect with Detroit’s Metropolitan Airport, a high-speed route to Chicago and connection to Via Rail in Windsor.
Moroun has pegged the cost of renovating the entire train station at more than US$100 million.
We think (a new rail tunnel) is critical for the future development of the city.