Work at Ford’s historic Michigan Central Station rejuvenation project has been going on for years to this point, with the automaker expanding the site, teaming up with Google to conduct autonomous vehicle research, naming a CEO for the complex, adding an Advancing Community Business program, launching a wireless charging pilot program, and even filing a trademark for Michigan Central Station. Now, FoMoCo has announced that Newlab will oversee the collaborative work of entrepreneurs and innovators at the reimagined Book Depository building.
The Book Depository – which is located on the 30-acre site – has been vacant for 30 years, but will now serve as Newlab’s Detroit headquarters and its Mobility Studio activity. The site will officially open this spring and is the first major building to do so at Michigan Central. There, hundreds of employees from a number of companies will collaborate on mobility solutions addressing areas such as electrification and aerial technology. The facility will offer purpose-built workspaces and prototyping labs to speed the development process.
“When we increase access to mobility, we increase equity in access to goods and services, and to job opportunities for everyone,” said Joshua Sirefman, Chief Executive Officer, Michigan Central. “The future of transportation – from autonomous and electric vehicles to innovations in mass transit and logistics – is already here. We need the infrastructure to make sure we develop the next generation of solutions to critical challenges across mobility and society in an equitable and sustainable way.”
“Newlab has shown what can happen when a community of entrepreneurs and inventors comes together to tackle real problems with real solutions. I am thrilled they will be our partner as we work to connect the potential of emerging technologies to the real social and economic needs of the people using them.”
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Comments
Nice to see the lights on again.
This building was the original incoming location for mail coming into Detroit from out of state by rail, it is connected to the train station by tunnel.
I can tell you from my URBEX experience, that this building was a mess inside. Burned books from arson, standing water everywhere, refuse and bodily waste from homeless folks occupying it, vandalism and graffiti, and the frozen body of some poor homeless soul partially encased in ice at the bottom of an elevator shaft.
It’s good to see the lights on and the attractive improvements made for a new purpose and productive use.
This building was in a shocking state, it’s incredible that it could be rehabilitated. It’s interesting that they preserved the mildew staining on the exposed concrete structure, I don’t think I’m a fan because it’s a creepy reminder of the structure’s disgusting and sinister past. There was an entire forest ecosystem under the skylights with trees rooted in the decaying remains of burned school books. And let’s not forget the frozen body in the elevator shaft. Still, awesome work to see the sturdy historic fabric of Corktown restored.
What I said. Near literally.