Inside the Detroit train station Ford is transforming to take on Silicon Valley

Ford Motor Company is stepping up its efforts to help Detroit compete with Silicon Valley. The automaker will reveal plans Tuesday to transform a 105-year-old train station into its high-tech base for the future of automotive mobility. Ford executive chairman Bill Ford Jr. recently gave "CBS This Morning" co-host Gayle King an exclusive tour of the historic space.
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[@thegerm574]

Great job Ford. Love the idea of using a building of transportation of the past to invest in transportation of the future. Can't wait to see what you come up with. Good luck. Bring Detroit back!

[@94fleetwood94]

I like the idea of trains, but I can't justify their costs for maintenance. If there was a magnetic track to reduce the need for maintenance and less human workers would drive down costs so much. Which is why I want the "Boring" company to succeed to replace the expensive trains and subways. Although I do agree with you that the government should finance these projects regardless. I mean if we can *spend trillions on the Department of Defense* for stupid wars, we should be able to spend even a tiny fraction of those funds for transit and infrastructure repairs across the U.S.

[@94fleetwood94]

True, not arguing against that. All I hope is ways to improve the way transit is built/designed with very little maintenance so that more public/private funding is used. *As a result* of not benefiting from federal funds. Again, which is why I hope the "Boring" company succeeds in building more affordable underground transportation instead of costly, high maintenance rail tracks.

[@aalmasabe1238]

I believe fake news

[@alfredogarbanzo2276]

@@94fleetwood94 Elon Musk is an L-Nerd who will create more traffic, Subways are far superior than the "underground Highways" that he wants to create with the Boring Company.

[@bigmurff6439]

I was just talking about Detroit yesterday. We need American companies to bring back jobs to these once thriving cities. The D was once a mega powerhouse for automotive manufacturing and it can again be that very city where this time, they are pumping out electric vehicles! There should be more kinds of industries to move back into the D, not just automotive. How about home appliances, IT, social media firms, textile industry, so much more opportunities to diversify the business structure of Detroit and rebrand itself.

[@jimmygrant3212]

Mr. Murphy the city of Detroit government is the reason for the downfall of Detroit.

[@ronaldolzheim363]

you should know that this master plan is made by the dutch....

[@limeyosu2000]

agreed and the rent should be cheap there too! no excuse for big business to not rent a old building for a good price.

[@styldsteel1]

They are coming back, Mr, Murphy, They are. Our President lowered the corporate taxes to human levels, Now huge companies are coming back into the US. Apple manufacturing for one, and now I think Dodge? Is moving from Mexico back in to the US.

[@mrbrainbob5320]

bull dog what are you talking about?

[@Witchking27]

Now, if they could also connect Detroit Airport to that station, along with Amtramk line, and build another line from the station to, at least, People Mover and/or QLine, that would expand the use of all mentioned systems.

[@sadiam.6841]

Maryan Hutsul that would be simply amazing if they did that!

[@valentinaminauro352]

I live here No 👎

[@mikereseigh]

Maryan Hutsul good idea

[@94fleetwood49]

Mayor Duggan is looking into the Boring company to build an underground tunnel to transport people from the Airport to downtown. Waiting on good remarks from L.A. Mayor before pursuing this plan. Works better since the existing railroad tracks are used for industrial transportation and owned by a Canadian RR company. A commuter line would require a permit and a dedicated rail line for transportation back & forth. So immediate plans for the commuter railroads aren't that possible, so the Boring company it is.

[@Witchking27]

FL33T WOOD good to hear

[@SWSimpson]

Train stations used to be so very cool. I love this building and I am glad it will be getting a new life.

[@preciousprecious3190]

I was there Monday for the tour! Beautiful building. So glad it wasn't demolished. Can't wait to see the outcome in 4 years.

[@MotorCityPhoenix313]

Here to see all the comments from people who know nothing about Detroit.

[@sixmile2360]

Stealthy Mongoose Theres a bunch of em.

[@kaykaychanz]

Same

[@deutschwehr7305]

+Stealthy Mongoose If you buy a travel guide in Germany for holidays in America the city Detroit is under a big red stop sign. That's all I have to know about Detroit !!!

[@sixmile2360]

DeutschwehR Awesome. My advice is stay away. Were just fine without you!

[@MotorCityPhoenix313]

DeutschwehR Germans come to Detroit literally all the time lmao. Detroit-Berlin connection anyone? Hello?

[@TL-yc1nl]

Never a question of the beauty, strength, and potential of the city. Whether from near or afar...It will be nice to see the growth and change.

[@done-ahhh578]

It's a stunning building. Glad it's going to get a new purpose. I wish the best for Detroit in the future.

[@SLACKLINEDUDE]

I am super happy someone is taking this building.

[@Sanpedranoazul]

Love projects like these Where you can bring back prosperity to a City that deserves to be in the spot again! Good job 👏👏👏

[@erich84502ify]

Detroit is bouncing back but some areas looks like it did in 2012, its better though

[@azzx5738]

I had a friend called Tara from Detroit in secondary school awesome girl! Always had a soft spot for detroit

[@Countcho]

Make Detroit great again. Good job Ford for making a difference

[@komerwest9520]

He didn't steal it he was keeping it safe

[@leokrupp4442]

That's what I was thinking, saving it from vandals/scrappers.

[@HobbyOrganist]

Sure! ;)

[@HobbyOrganist]

Probably was not his intent, he wanted some cool thing for his wall and there it was on the abandoned building so he took it home, now years later he decided he didn't really need it any more and they are renovating the building, so gave it back. That was not a CLOCK that was returned, it was nothing but the DIAL frame- unfortunately that is the easiest part of all to replicate or replace, the bronze and cast iron clock mechanism- the GUTS- the actual mechanical clock itself with a pendulum is long gone, no doubt broken up and scrapped, and that is the most difficult, most expensive and time consuming part of all to replicate or replace. The dial frame would be like saving a radiator grille off Ford's very first model T and saying you saved Ford's first car!!! meanwhile the rest of the car and the engine are long gone.

[@sunday-mariehanson248]

Nice building

[@franciscovaldes2717]

Great great great news! That building and Detroit itself have to make a fantastic come back.

[@rsean4083]

I remember seeing this building over 10 years ago, it was an eyesore but awesome in its stature. I’m so glad to see it being restored.

[@tashee8772]

Make Detroit Great Again!

[@el_teodoro]

I always wanted to visit Detroit, this is awesome! Hope for a bright future for Detroit.

[@desolatesurfer8651]

Make sure you save two days for the. Henry Ford museum.

[@ABH313]

Went there in 2010 with a couple friends before it was gated off. Climbed all the way to the top and saw every floor. Ford and the contractors have a lot of work in front of them but I'm glad to know it won't be getting torn down. More companies should be using the existing space downtown istead of building new

[@meltedicecreamsandwich]

Alan Hale They are. Downtown is low on space. They have no choice but to build something new.

[@OrganNLou]

ITS ABOUT TIME that this gorgeous building get a makeover!! I have been in awe of it for years, and look forward to its future as a restored gem in Detroit!

[@patmosher8884]

Ford Leading the way😀. Rebuilding Detroit 20/20

[@mikemancini313]

@Ltrainsns Ns I rather see that than see the building demolished to be honest.

[@cjorcine5166]

I feel proud even though I'm not from detroit.im not even American, I just first learned to dance and pop to the edm beats PUT YOUR HANDS FOR DETROIT

[@1940limited]

This is definitely good news. I understand several other projects similar to this one are underway. Let's hope for a badly needed revival of the Motor City.

[@48306jw]

I think Henry would approve.

[@NotfromDetroit]

I love this for Detroit! You can tell that building was well built!

[@zapfanzapfan]

So, no more use of that building for dystopian SciFi? Ok, I can live with that if it gets renovated and used again.

[@failtolawl]

I've always thought that the federal government needs to move some things out of D.C. into these towns that have the infrastructure but just need a good tax base.

[@nancylowry6207]

Detroit's Comeback Is On The Horizon! Lots of good people in Detroit and Metro Detroit. Hardworking people with spirit! And yea, there's lots to do, even for techies!

[@gustavopacheco919]

That's such an iconic building here in Michigan. There's a lot of history right there in that building.

[@jyryk4623]

That building is more or less how i imagine The Ministry of Love to look like in Nineteen Eighty-four. It's cleaner in my head though

[@youtubelover1311]

I’m proud to live near the great city of Detroit

[@danglesnipecelly13]

Detroit ❤️ love my city! The future looks great

[@jennaorlowski9228]

I live just outside the city, and go downtown frequently... Makes me really happy to see that beautiful building getting restored. Detroit on the upswing, its landmass is huge... So of course bringing back a city of its size is going to take a lot of time. Downtown is doing really well though, quite a happening place. The surrounding city is what will take time, and people to move in. I've grown up watching the city coming back to life and I've been telling people for years so it's been coming back everybody's been like yeah yeah yeah... But things like this are proof. Will it ever be what it once was, probably not. Will it be some kind of cool incarnation, most definitely yes ☺️ It's hard to run a city that big on a fraction of the citizens it was designed to run on. Just sayin.

[@white_rook2060]

Nice dissertation until you ruined with the stupid expression "just sayin"

[@jennaorlowski9228]

White_Rook "Just Sayin" was aimed at potential negative future comments, that of course will say crime this and that, lack of ambulatory services and all sorts of negitve stuff that is further evidenced in this comment section... Which some may have root in truth but are the falt of such a small tax base for such a large city. Which as people and money come back to the city, will get better. I find "just saying" to be a disarming comment, also as a way of reminding people, this is just the internet... because far too many take this digital world far too seriously. My point is, regardless of the city's troubles(1) Detroit is on the mend in a very positive way. 1) all citys have their own unique troubles... ALL! I've never properly written a dissertation, nor honestly know what one is. 🤷 I'll have to google that later. I was sharing my life experience, and future hopes about the city. Honestly bailed on college because my Highschool failed to properly prepare me, I'm ADHD and was stuck in special ed classes with autistic children and worse... all because my school was ill informed on how to handle ADHD. Its very upsetting I was tossed into glorified babysitting classes!(2) ...which is a very accurate description of the special education services of the Crestwood school district. I will never allow my children to attend that public nightmare. 2) Especially considering I was very bright and got all Concepts first time around, leaving me to sleep through the next 2 weeks in class as they constantly rehash for the dumb kids. The homework was a joke and unnecessary as I passed all tests with A's, but refused to jump through hoops designed to make me submissive and fit the manufacturing sector mentality. That school was never fast enough for me to keep me interested, also took away opportunities for a proper go at college by putting me in babysitting class's all because I learn differently. Thats a conversation for another time and place. Also Henry Ford college failed me, my English teacher was more concerned about explaining how she was in a different tax bracket, one we would never reach than actually teaching the concepts of the class. About the only thing I learned from that class, such a waste of my money. I've had terrible experiences with the education system and had to rely on myself to educate myself. I also have a bad tendency of down playing myown views, a personal issue which has no place being further discussed in the comment section. I've been diving deep into my psyche as of late, some if not most of this comment is not for you, but in a sense a source of therapeutic release. One of which... I'm sure you'll have plenty to say😋, whether or not what you say has bearing on my day is up to me; nothing you can do can change that. Keep in mind the previous sentence as you reply and keep it classy.😉 I'm not trying to offend, I just have a defensive nature due to life.

[@fiveofever2971]

No, not offended..You commentary and post was good..I just find that expression to be irrelevant and not necessary..My friend says it all the time and I find it to be useless and offers nothing to the discussion..Not trying to offend you. it's just my conclusion and personal opinion..

[@badpiggies988]

Best of wishes to Detroit and Michigan from WA

[@superbeast4287]

Sounds great. 9 months later....nothing has happened. That building is real cool. I see it every other day.

[@johnDoe-yt4bx]

Was wondering what was going on. Thanks for the update.

[@Spartan117A51]

If this goes through, I'll be extremely happy. I'm tired of seeing quicken loans buying everything downtown. Hopefully this project with Ford spawns some out of this world tech

[@auwagaagawua2696]

I love this building. It's beautiful in person even in its current condition

[@LCarolineSparks]

About time they did something with that beautiful old building❤

[@joeypincombe8384]

Sentimental journey doris day song reminds me of the train station here.

[@johntaormina1084]

Marched from Fort Wayne to Michigan Central to board a train to go to Louisville Kentucky for Basic Training @ Fort Knox June 1966 .

[@mikereseigh]

This makes me very happy as a former Detroiter. It has been a black eye for so long. Not anymore.

[@Crambo90ify]

Haven't seen it yet but guess it lights up at night. Already a huge improvement.

[@williama.hovestreydt6623]

She had a little dig there on my home town which is not cool...but so happy this amazing building is getting another life!

[@mwdca7810]

Great! On a recent visit, I was happy to see that the site is secure with Ford security and fencing. All windows will be replaced and dozens of dehumidifiers are installed to remove decades of water and moisture---all great for the city, architectural history and for humanity.

[@shardyshard22]

Oh that building is beautiful

[@SouthCalifas619]

Maybe ford should start making train locomotives too, using the abandoned train tracks in the back to test them

[@lazyrrr2411]

SouthCalifas619 - Ford HAD thier own railroad in the 1920s and developed an electric locomotive that defined that technology for decades , even though Henry soon opted-out of the railroad biz

[@RingoYote]

Trains are dead buddy

[@SouthCalifas619]

Sam Hyena clearly freight trains are still going strong, if they start making freight locomotives efficient enough theyl make bank

[@MrAlpineAssassin]

only place trains are dead is America, where they haven't changed in like 30+ years at least. Need some innovation

[@styldsteel1]

Where? What do you mean? Here in NYC New Yorkers cannot live without commuter trains. And by the way, don't tell CSX what you just said. They'll show you all the millions of tons of "Dead: they haul every day.

[@peggyelchert8340]

50 yrs. ago Detroit was a beautiful and robust metropolis. It is now a huge tragedy. So sad.

[@michaelcerza871]

The company that started the auto industry as we know it is about to make history once again! Best of luck to the Ford Motor Company, the City of Detroit, and all of America as they venture into the future of the automotive industry and of mobility!

[@medinamartinjr]

This Chicago guy hoping for the best for Detroit👊 I'm thinking about going there and watch my Sox vs Tigers play ⚾️

[@timfoley3189]

Some thieves only do it because no one is using it. Give a city a purpose and watch everyone pitch in!

[@americansoldier7776]

That’s so awesome!!

[@kathy2trips]

I used to take the Amtrack from Detroit to Chicago all the time in the 1970s. It hurts to see the train station look like that.

[@5150pearl]

THIS IS AWESOME THANK YOU FORD

[@styldsteel1]

Genuinely a good guy. God Speed Mr. Ford.

[@dv7548]

Great story to bring the very best minds in tech and transform much needed area where it once was one of the very best places to live in. 👌

[@philmartinez6128]

Here's a mind blown for the people who comment or read the comments. The company I work for is in the process of repairing, or completely replacing pieces the stone that making this building beautiful again. Side note we are using the same stone from the same quarry that this building was originally build from back in 1909.

[@bendover9411]

Awesome sauce!! 🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@dabbadoo2226]

Great vibe downtown never seen so many people down there on a daily basis in my life train station is beautiful architecture same architect that designed grand central

[@ryanmacleod3969]

"You have no idea how high I can fly" - Michael Scott

[@777jones]

“Yup I get to travel in this job I like it...” hahahhahah she laid a pretty good joke there.

[@zorb58]

Love the B roll from Pittsburgh @ 2:00.

[@user-wb8wt9fd5h]

Were gonna bring Detroit back to its former glory so that it can be known back as the best City.

[@10toeken87]

Im from Atlanta but i got love for detroit-i hope they bring the D back-

[@icecastles1432]

Thank goodness !!

[@CarlosPerez-bj2jz]

Beautiful building

[@percywilson9399]

I think Amtrak will go back to the old train station and i hope so . I believe it's a reason they are keeping four tracks I'm looking and hoping that Amtrak as well as to Detroit Ann arbor commuter rail will use that station

[@diyac9554]

So excited to see how the project has progressed in other videos… we’re so close!!!!

[@videoman7659]

Detroit has always had a blueprint for silicon city 2.0 due to all the factories easily converted to office space. I hope the train station would be train station again. If not it would be a beautiful hotel.

[@joeypincombe8384]

Anyone remember the big clock from Benjamin button. If you're gonna use the old clock make it run backwards for old time sake

[@deangelawhitt7461]

I love my city!! ❤🤟🏾

[@chperezjr]

What a beautiful building

[@Brianrockrailfan]

so Amtrak will never stop at this station ever again :>...(

[@obsideon1343]

They left back in 1980 when the rail roads went bankrupt. Well At least they didn't rip it down like NYC did to Penn Station

[@1940limited]

Perro: It probably could be if amtrak and Ford got together and worked out a deal. Anything's possible with money and cooperation. Let's hope government stays out of the project as much as possible.

[@1940limited]

Perro: I meant keep them out of the renovation of the building. If amtrak can use the station once again, that detail, I'm sure, can be worked out. I haven't heard any plans for Amtrak to start using the building again, so the point may be moot. But it would be nice.

[@1940limited]

Perro: Yes, that is too bad. I think we should add long distance trains. That's one thing I don't mind spending some tax money on. Compared to the national budget, it's a pittance.

[@sixmile2360]

Obsideon 13 The last passenger train left in 1988. Amtrak probably will not return because trains now go on north to pontiac. If amtrak stopped there it would involve a lengthy back up maneuver and then have to pull back out. Amtrak just spent millions to upgrade the line to Chicago to cut 40 minutes from the schedule. That back up maneuver would eat up the savings. The best that they can hope for is a commuter line west to Ann Arbor. A great idea. Unfortunately it costs money. They are keeping 4 tracks though so who knows?

[@sheem.2450]

Its good to see Detroit is getting a face lift. ❤

[@RS-hz1yi]

i left connecticut and bought a ex crackhouse in detroit. fixing it up and making detroit my home

[@murraysgrammar4436]

We would call this, "our see-through-train station", because on days when the sun shined brightest, you could see the other side. Lmao. Good times.

[@ilan212]

Instead of transforming the building into something else, why don't they just try to save the building and get the railroad history back working, because this building is a beautiful peice of history. Amtrak should work something out with ford so the railroad history will be back working!

[@virginiastirnweis5214]

SFRC South Florida Railfanning Crew it would be great if it was mixed use; trains coming in at the ground floor level and Ford offices above. A 10 hour drive to Detroit from where I live takes 24 hours by train because I have to go west to Chicago then back east to Royal Oak. Silly.

[@mrpeel3239]

As goes Sillicon Valley, so goes...Detroit! Great news and vision from the FORD motor company.

[@bcnicholas123]

It’s about time they did something with it

[@itssyrus]

Half a million? A 2 bedroom house in California is more expensive then that giant building :(

[@leeluv96]

Luis Valdovinos, yes Matty Maroun spent way more then that to purchase the building. After the squatters and thieves and rave parties died down he cleaned up all the debris, did some structural work, restored lighting/electricity, installed new elevators, pumped thousands of gallons out of the multiple basement levels, demolished the old platform and other "too far gone" adjacent buildings, cleaned up the lot and the connected park in front of the building (no that's not the land for the station, it's a tiny park), installed new Windows. So he's put a lot of work into the building. He was beginning to do more work but this deal came about last year and they just finalized last month or the beginning of this month. But over the years there have been galas, benefits, balls, meetings, events on the lawn, movie filmings, etc... it's like a well kept secret event space. Locals know, but sadly, everyone else thinks the building sat unused all this time. It hasn't. Even when it didn't have Windows on the top floors the first few floors have been operational for many years.

[@eb1247]

This is good news, Michiganders would have been devastated if this symbol was demolished

[@1989TS..]

We need more people like him in that city

[@CrazyStyles313]

This wasn't the only property they bought, they also bought the book Depot next door from Matty Moroan, he's the guy that owns the Ambassador Bridge. I used to work for him and I used to be inside that Train Depot, it has a lot of potential.

[@lexdee523]

Mr. Ford pulls this off, that'll mean putting a lot of ppl to work. That has always been one of Detroit's biggest downfall, no jobs!

[@wapacanis]

Detroit become human! I'm Connor, the Android sent by Cyberlife. ....................................... I love how my city is changing~ I'm proud to be a Detroiter. We're in video games and movies~ 🙌🙌🙌👩‍💻🙌🙌🙌

[@snowfan0521]

While I love that Ford is helping to preserve a piece of history with that train station, I can't get behind the push for autonomous cars in any form other than the little gimmicky things we have now (Ford's self parallel parking and BMW's remote back-up). Now if they used that same energy to research ways to make the vehicles more durable, efficient, and cheaper I would definitely get behind the company again and consider buying their cars again after having been a lifelong Ford buyer until recently.

[@L8-APEX]

That building has a soul

[@desolatesurfer8651]

This seems like the terminal tower in cleveland ohio. Somehow the old train terminal made downtown cleveland. I hope the project is a big success detroit.

[@CrossOfBayonne]

This station also saw B&O traffic since I'm a fan of that railroad although not as much with the New York Central who built the place

[@edgeof1956]

When he says I've lived here all my life." Oh, sure in the rich part of Michigan: Gross Point

[@sixmile2360]

Blake West Who are you refering to?

[@robertparker481]

As if you would love in a ghetto if you had his money?

[@wyn1912]

My dad is working on this building :) as well as Book Tower!

[@dirtydeebracing3167]

Innovative thinking brings innovative products. Those products bring back the people and the people are the driving force behind restoration. This will be awesome for the city and it’s people. Way to go Ford!👍

[@smokinnplatez1426]

Lol cool i grew in detroit now i live in Brownsville tx right by McAllen

[@nkematabs3584]

Go Detroit 💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿👊🏿👊🏿👊🏿👊🏿

[@junioranderson4975]

Very cool. I was wondering who was going to step up to the plate and take the challenge.

[@ktpinnacle]

I hope it becomes what Ford wants it to be. Good news for the city. I hope they continue to downsize and diversify.

[@meltedicecreamsandwich]

ktpinnacle The city has not downsized

[@ktpinnacle]

The Pinnacle In what way has it not besides actual borders?

[@meltedicecreamsandwich]

ktpinnacle Well see I would say actual borders because that's what I meant by it didn't downsize but since you said besides actual borders then Idk

[@boatbound3300]

With all the work & money needed to rebuild the MCS i hope they got the building for free

[@scottbrenham1341]

Alot of cities especially well known ones are going through changes all over. Some people think no its the same as it was before same urban slump with crime problems. The new job market of today are technical based. From culinary arts and manufacturing. People don't work the factory and warehouses like they use to. I am glad I left those days. It's a dawn of a new era.

[@TRYtoHELPyou]

yo CBS, prior to export.. highlight all of the video tracks (may have to one at a time), right click and find a way to de-interlace so we can get rid of these horizontal lines during pan. they are so 1990s.....

[@amv12vantage]

Glad that old girl will get some new life.