Detroit

[TC Chris]

A huge Michigan Central train station in Detroit, built in grand style, was opened in 1913 and abandoned in 1988, leaving it subject to extreme vandalism and decay. It became a symbol of Detroit's decline. Then in 2018 Ford bought the vast pile and restored it to former grandeur, making it a symbol of Detroit's renaissance. It just opened with a big celebratory concert of Detroit folks. Quite a few of them were after my youth and not generally in my musical style, but my sister recorded the concert and I watched it Sunday, enjoying even the rap performers for their support of our biggest city. Yeah, I was almost weeping. You can see it here:

https://www.nbc.com/live-from-detroit-t ... 8000011125

It made me really happy that I drive two Fords--and that lots of less deep-pocketed folks are similarly devoted to the city and working hard to make it great again. If you want to see lots of before and after photos, just do a search on "Michigan Central."

Chris Campbell

[electra225]

It would have been nice if someone would have saved at least a part of the old Packard plant. If there is such a thing as an elegant automobile plant, that was one.

[TC Chris]

I'll bet there are bits and pieces of it in many private homes in SE Michigan. Part of the Michigan Central story is the clock: a large bronze one in the main hall. It disappeared early during the abandonment. But then when the resto started, it was returned anonymously and now presides over the vast room as it did years ago.

Chris Campbell