Brief:
Bring the community together around the reconstruction of Michigan Central Station.
Idea:
Explore MCS's reconstruction and interview the men & women working on it. Listen to their personal stories that connect MCS to their past, present, and future.
Solution:
Analog tribute to MCS. Use 35mm B&W film and handwritten letters from the crew working on the reconstruction to combine their stories.
My Roles: Concept, Strategy, Art Direction, Photographer, Editor, Project Manager. & Social Specialist.
Since its grand opening in 1913,
Michigan Central Station has held a unique story
Located in the heart of Corktown, 4000 people a day would travel through the station.
If you were coming to Detroit, you were coming to Michigan Central Station. Until 1988, when the last train pulled its cars away.
The train station was left to the elements for over 30 years taking on a new identity. People would sneak in to explore the once-grand station. A hockey rink was made in the basement during the colder months. It provided shelter to those in need of a home.
Now, love is being poured into the station by Ford Motor Company. They are bringing back the structure's integrity and opening a new chapter for this incredible monument.
Describe your image
Those restoring MCS are bringing life back to their community
Many of the restoration crew members live in the surrounding community. These hard-working women and men shared with me their cherished memories and their hopes for the future in handwritten letters.
THE MASSIVE COLUMNS & HEAVENLY CEILINGS BRING GREAT WONDER TO THE SPACE
The renovations had been in progress for several years prior to my excursion. Careful work had been done to keep the integrity of the structure. Each space cleaned of debris and sectioned off precisely.
COMBINING BOTH ELEMENTS OF ARCHITECTURE & COMMUNITY, THE STORY OF MCS HAS BEEN UNCORKED
Shot on Cannon A-1 with 35mm Black & White Film by Emily Burke
“My name is Manuel A. Martinez. I was born in the Dominican Republic and a resident of Southwest Detroit since 2000. The Michigan Central Train Station has always been known as the ‘cool building’ or ‘the station’ where many have been inside to express their artistic talents, hang out, play hockey in the basement, or play paintball in the ground level. It is amazing to be apart of the renovation of a building that even while vacant/ abandoned, it felt like it continued to serve the community and always stood as a key piece of history that has helped shape the identity of Corktown and Southwest Detroit. Work can not express how amazing it feels to be apart of the history in the construction of this monumental structure that is soon to be a community and city spotlight, as it once was before.”
-Manuel A. Martinez
“Hello my name is Pedro Rodriguez employed at Comet Contracting, working at the Central Train Station in Corktown. Born and raised in Southwest Detroit. My parents came from Texas in the late ’60s as a child growing up, I remember going to the old Tiger Stadium in Corktown, we would pass the train station. Never did we go in. My father passed in late 1989. My mother is still here with us. She recently moved from the Delray area where I grew up at. The Gordy Howie project bought my parent’s property. The home and area very well missed by our family. My mother told me stories about my grandparents and parent’s siblings would send packages from Texas to Detroit. I heard it was very busy at the time. Then they closed it down. I’m glad to see it has been brought back to life! I always wondered what it looked like on the inside and this early year 2020 I had the privilege to work on the project. My family and I are very excited to see the new Ford building. It has come along way already, and has more to come. Not only is the station a part of Corktown, it’s a part of us, and a big part of Detroit MI. The city has very well come along way as well.
​
From Downtown, Mexican Town, Midtown to Corktown. The station is an old building that was a railway depot from 1913 to 18988 very nice work. Proud to be a part of this project. Now with this huge renovation, more memories can and will be revolving around and in the station. In the past I heard many stories about what should be done to the landmark. Who would of thought after being closed for so long it would happen. Attempts were made. Thank you Ford, thank you to all the companies and hard-working tradesmen!
Thank you Local 1191 Keep up the good work, Stay safe, stay strong,
We can’t change yesterday! But we can change today. For a better tomorrow!”
-Pedro Rodriguez, 43
“As a child, I would come to the train station with my mom to pick up my aunt who would come from Florida to visit. After graduation from college with a degree in architecture, I started my career working on the renovation of Tiger Stadium (1979-1980) which was ¼ mile from the train station on Michigan Avenue. I consider it a great honor to be able to now work on bringing Michigan Central Station back to life.”
-Gary Marchall, 64
“A year ago I was offered the opportunity to work with LS Brinker and Christman as a project administrator, not expecting that I would be part of a huge transformation in the city I grew up in. I lived in Southwest Detroit practically my whole life, the biggest trademark living just a mile away was the old train station. I’m excited to be part of one of the biggest renovations in the city. I can’t wait to see the outcome. I work with such a great team that I am more than honored to be a part of it. The city of Detroit is coming back to life and I’m glad it’s happening now more than ever.”
-Tania Rodriguez, 36
“I’ve lived in the suburbs of Detroit all my life. The train station has always been an icon of the city. As an adult, my wife and I would often take scenic drives through the city on weekends. We would go to Mexican Village, get some tamales, maybe have lunch. Sometimes we would head to Atwater brewery to have a beer or take a walk on the Riverwalk. No trip was complete without driving through Corktown to see what was happening at the old train station. As a photographer, I can’t tell you how many pictures I have taken of the train station. Over the years we had heard many rumors of interest in renovating the station but year after year, nothing happened. We were so excited to hear that Ford had taken over we were just sure that something really cool was finally going to happen now. With all of the revitalization in the city, it seemed only natural that the train station would get its day!
I have worked with Ram Construction Services and Local 2 Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers for close to 20 years. In that time I’ve had the privilege of working on some of Detroit’s most beautiful buildings. I was really excited to find out that I would get to be a part of the restoration. I feel so much pride in the work we’re doing here and I love that I’m giving back to a city that has given me so much joy over the year.”
-Michele Riley, 53
Creating a Facebook page,
we heard from others in the community.
It is common for people who live in the Detroit area to have a connection to MCS. Opening up the discussion on Facebook lets the community share their stories.
See for yourself
