Michigan Central Station Releases Details of OPEN House Exhibitions, Entertainment, Arts, and more
Following a spectacular opening night concert on its Roosevelt Park front lawn before 20,000 people in person and millions on television and streaming, Michigan Central Station today officially reopens its doors to the public for the first time in nearly four decades following an extensive six-year restoration by Ford Motor Co.
Over the next 10 days, more than 60,000 people are expected to participate in reopening festivities for the iconic landmark.
Starting today through June 16, OPEN House invites ticketed visitors to tour The Station’s revitalized ground floor before the building’s first commercial occupants begin moving in this fall. It will feature a range of exhibits, entertainment, art, and more that immerse visitors in The Station’s history, restoration, and next chapter. Activations include:
The MC Cube, A Dynamic Film Experience: Inside the Historic Women’s Waiting Room, visitors will experience a 15’ x 15’ cubed LED installation that tells the journey of Michigan Central Station: history, restoration and the next chapter.
The Story of The Station: A 1,000-foot sculptural timeline of shared moments of triumph, adversity, innovation, and resilience that flows down the center of Grand Hall.
Faces of Michigan Central, A Portrait Gallery: Millions of people have a connection to The Station and Michigan Central district. Faces of Michigan Central shares the stories of just a small handful of them.
What’s Your Station Story?: In the Historic Reading Room, visitors will be invited to recount their own personal memories, stories, and hopes for The Station in an intimate testimonial space, as well as hear the stories of those whose lives The Station has touched.
Open Archive, Resurrecting a Landmark: Open Archive is a collection of behind-the-scenes photographs, artifacts, and unexpected treasures that offer a glimpse into Ford’s daunting undertaking: restoring the deteriorated and decayed Station.
Poster Vault, A Visual Trip Through Culture: Accompanied by a soundtrack of songs forever linked to Detroit, visitors can explore walls covered with surprising artifacts that pays homage to the rich visual history surrounding The Station and our city.
Windows into The Station’s Future: Take a stroll through the Historic Arcade to get a sneak peek at what else is coming soon to Michigan Central.
me + you, Interactive AI and Light Sculpture: A critically acclaimed interactive sculpture by Suchi Reddy that allows visitors to interact with the piece in The Station’s South Concourse. Visitors can speak a single-word representing their vision of the future, and open-source AI technology will express their word back in a unique pattern of light and color that shimmers across the structure, like a mandala, unique to each visitor.
The Kids’ Zone: At The Kids’ Zone, people of all ages can grab a complimentary “color-your-own” poster to express their unique vision of The Station, enjoy an interactive scavenger hunt full of secrets to discover throughout the space, and check out an incredible model of The Station crafted out of LEGO®.
From June 7-9, visitors also can enjoy music and local entertainment next door on the front lawn of Newlab at Michigan Central (the former Book Depository building). Programmed by Urban Arts Orchestra’s De’Sean Jones and Theo Parrish the founder of Sound Signature, the weekend’s outdoor events will showcase Detroit’s diverse voices, as well offer opportunities to hear about exciting programming at Michigan Central and to purchase food, drinks, and commemorative souvenirs.
Registration is required and now closed for OPEN House. OPEN House hours times vary daily:
- June 7: Noon-10 p.m., Charity and Dames Brown.
- June 8: 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Scott Z and Yukiko, Ideeyah and Meftah, Thomas Shui, and a combined DJ set with Who Dat, Spector, Howard Thomas, and Theo Parrish with Duminie.
- June 9: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Pride programming featuring Isis Damil, India Solomon live, Ahya Simone, Ben Sharkey, Queen Gabby n House of Jit, Kesswa x Nova Zai, and Silly Girl Carmen
- June 11-13: Noon-8 p.m.
- June 14-15: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
- June 16: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
After OPEN wraps up on June 16, Michigan Central will begin a phased reactivation of The Station over the next several months and years as restaurant, retail, and other commercial and community-focused partners take up residency.
From June 21 to Aug. 31, the first floor will be open for Summer at the Station, allowing visitors to take self-guided tours from 5-9 p.m. on Fridays and 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Saturdays, with food and beverage also available to enjoy outside of The Station. Note that tickets are not needed for the Summer at the Station experience.
Expanded hours will be announced for fall, when the first phase of commercial activations opens to the public.
Last night’s concert featured iconic Detroit artists like Eminem, Diana Ross, Big Sean, and Jack White, as well as stars from around the country, including Common, Fantasia, Jelly Roll, and others.
Here’s a look at the numbers surrounding “LIVE from Detroit: The Concert at Michigan Central.”
- In-person audience at Roosevelt Park: 20,000
- 15 official watch parties around Detroit
- Seven artists recognized at Michigan Central Honors Ceremony (Patti Smith, Fred “Sonic” Smith Jack White, The Clark Sisters, Kierra Sheard, Illa J, and Slum Village)
- 14 days of setup
- Approximately 300 local laborers helped bring the event to life
- Almost 300 miles of cable used
- 80 tractor-trailers of gear
- 19 local food trucks
- High of 33 mph wind gusts pre-show.
NBC will air a one-hour primetime special on June 9 starting at 7 p.m.
DoD Awards University of Detroit Mercy Nearly $500K for Cybersecurity Consortium
The University of Detroit Mercy received a $497,080 award from the U.S. Department of Defense to sustain its work in establishing the Metro Detroit Regional Vehicle Cybersecurity Institute, a regional cybersecurity consortium.
This follows a $1.12-million award from the DoD in 2020 the university used to establish the institute, a self-sustaining, regional, virtual cybersecurity workforce development entity formed through partnerships between academia, the vehicle manufacturing industry, and the DoD to address the shortfall of trained vehicle cybersecurity engineers and computer scientists to meet the needs of the military ground vehicle and transportation communities.
Led by Detroit Mercy, the consortium consists of multiple academic institutions in southeast Michigan and includes the University of Arizona as a research partner. It is designed to expand and enhance the cybersecurity engineering workforce through an online applied curriculum developed in consultation with industry partners.
The award is provided through the Virtual Institutes for Cyber and Electromagnetic Spectrum Research and Employ (VICEROY) program, which is managed by the Griffiss Institute, a 501(c)(3) organization, in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
For more information, visit here.
In Related News: UDM graduate programs are once again ranked among the top in the nation in the 2024-25 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges edition. This year, the College of Business Administration’s (CBA) MBA in Management was ranked No. 17 in the nation, up from No. 23 in 2023-24. It is the 10th consecutive year in a row this program has ranked among the country’s top 25. In addition, the College of Health Professions’ Nurse Anesthesia program also ranked No. 18 this year and remains among the top 20 programs throughout the country.
To see the full list, visit here.
Functional Fluidics Officially Opens Nigeria Clinical Research Center, Specialty Laboratory
Functional Fluidics, a Detroit-based global health technology company specializing in red blood cell health, has opened a new clinical research center and laboratory in Awka, Nigeria.
For nearly a decade, Functional Fluidics has been accelerating the development of life-changing therapies, supporting clinical trials, and bridging the gap between clinical research and patient care. During this time, pharmaceutical companies have heavily invested in red blood cell modifying therapies with a lead indication of sickle cell disease.
These companies have expanded clinical trials outside of the U.S. and Europe into Sub-Saharan Africa to support clinical trials for this growing pipeline of sickle cell therapies. The new Functional Fluidics facility will serve as its initial entry into Sub-Saharan Africa, to support the growing need for clinical trial infrastructure.
Sub-Saharan Africa is the global epicenter of sickle cell disease (SCD) and does not have adequate access to the most important therapies available to combat the disease. The World Health Organization indicates that nearly 70 percent of the global SCD population lives in Africa. Nigeria bears the greatest burden, with an estimated 4-6 million people living with SCD and one in every four individuals with sickle cell trait.
Urban Science in Detroit Launches EV Sales Forecasting Analysis
Urban Science, a global automotive consultancy and technology firm in Detroit, has launched a science-driven electric vehicle (EV) sales forecasting analysis for automakers with U.S. retail operations through its MarketView solution.
The EV enhancement empowers automotive OEMs to tap Urban Science’s industry sales data and science-driven approach to make optimally informed decisions regarding EV allocation, inventory management and marketing strategies, and in turn promote short-and long-term efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness across their U.S. retail operations.
Urban Science’s new EV sales forecasting analysis, delivered via the new MarketView EV dashboard, is meant to transcend traditional forecasting methods in the U.S. through quarterly updates of industrywide EV sales data, offering detailed insights into anticipated sales opportunities down to a local level. It also presents short- and long-term demand representations, empowering users to make proactive, science-driven decisions regarding allocation, inventory, and marketing. These insights extend up to 10 years into the future.
For more information, visit here.
Baum Family Investments Acquires Net Leased Property in Troy
Baum Family Investments (BFI), with offices in Detroit, Miami, and New York, has announced the acquisition of two prime single-tenant net leased properties including the Chase Bank building at 260 John R Road in Troy. The other is a FedEx facility in Miamisburg, Ohio.
The acquisitions, valued at more than $5 million were completed with cash.
“We are extremely pleased with our most recent acquisitions, which showcase our ability to source high-quality net leased investments at attractive prices in an ever-changing marketplace,” says Aaron Baum, founder and managing partner of Baum Family Investments.
Both investments align with BFI’s core mission: to acquire assets with predictable income, strong unit-level economics, and above-market yields. BFI, a commercial real estate investment fund based in Boca Raton, Florida, focuses on credit net leased investments throughout the US. The firm currently has a robust pipeline with over $75 million in acquisitions for the next two quarters.
BFI’s diverse group of partners and investors includes family offices, entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, and successful small business owners from across the country. Since its inception, the founders of Baum Family Investments have acquired over $200 million in real estate investments and plan to continue this successful strategy in the future.
Marelli in Southfield Wins Global Contract to Supply EV Battery Thermal Solutions
Southfield-based auto industry supplier Marelli has been awarded a “significant” contract from a major global carmaker to supply the Battery Thermal Plate (BTP) for future battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
The solution, a key technology for thermal energy management in electric vehicles, has been developed and will be produced in-house by Marelli.
The supply will begin in 2024, reaching approximately 5 million units over the contract period. The agreement involves various vehicle platforms and segments for the Chinese, North American, and European markets.
Effective thermal management of the battery is essential to ensure performance and efficiency in fully electric vehicles, where the battery is the only energy source available. Thermal management impacts battery life, vehicle driving range, propulsion system performance, and fast charging capability, and is key to maintaining a comfortable cabin environment. To reach maximum efficiency, the battery must always remain within a specific optimal temperature range under all external temperature conditions (hot/cold), while meeting the needs of the cabin and propulsion systems.
To achieve this, Marelli’s Battery Thermal Plate uses the Dot Dimples design, which guarantees an optimized heat exchange. Thanks to specific paths of the thermal flows, this solution stabilizes the temperature of the battery cells and provides excellent temperature uniformity.
It also allows for an extremely flat product that requires limited space, ensuring an easy integration and assembly within the vehicle. The production technologies and materials used for this solution guarantee high durability and quality.
Rocket Reshapes the Meaning of ‘Home’ this Pride Month
Rocket Cos. has unveiled its Home Is initiative, which includes a partnership with the Detroit LGBT Regional Chamber of Commerce and an activation at Motor City Pride June 8-9 in Hart Plaza.
Home should be a sanctuary, yet for many LGBTQ+ individuals, it’s a place that holds complex meaning as it is often the first environment where they experience trauma. As LGBTQ+ individuals seek to establish their own safe havens through homeownership, their voices and unique challenges frequently are overlooked, resulting in fewer LGBTQ+ people achieving homeownership.
Research by the Urban Institute reveals this disparity with only 51 percent of LGBTQ+ individuals own homes, in contrast to 71 percent of those who identify as both heterosexual and cisgender.
Rocket says it’s committed to bridging this gap and helping the LGTBQ+ community feel confident throughout their homeownership journey with Home Is, an initiative to reclaim what home means to the community. Rocket and the Detroit LGBT Regional Chamber of Commerce are conducting a survey designed to help inform a plan for an LGBTQ+ business district in Detroit – a place where the community can freely express themselves and find a sense of belonging.
The Home Is initiative kicks off at Motor City Pride with an interactive living room exhibit where attendees are invited to write or draw what home means to them, turning a blank canvas into a vibrant display of individuality.
Ludwig+ in Bingham Farms Rebrands StateServ and Delta Care Rx as Dragonfly Health
Ludwig+, a woman-owned brand actualization and business acceleration agency in Bingham Farms, has rebranded the merged companies StateServ and Delta Care Rx as Dragonfly Health.
Ludwig+ was involved in the new brand name, brand Identity, and brand design system, which encapsulates Dragonfly Health’s evolution and commitment to exceptional healthcare solutions in the hospice and post-acute at-home-care market.
The name Dragonfly Health was chosen as a symbol of transformation, adaptability, and self-realization, bringing certainty during transition at life’s difficult moments. It serves as a symbol of happiness and new beginnings to further represent the company’s transformation, adaptability, and forward-thinking approach.
Dragonfly Health’s new brand identity reflects a modern, dynamic, tech-forward, and patient-centric ethos.
With the new brand name, Ludwig+ also debuted a new brand campaign “Whatever it takes. Wherever it takes us.” which underscores Dragonfly Health delivering high tech with a higher calling. Dragonfly Health team members not only deliver medical equipment and prescriptions within hours across the nation, they have a drive and determination to deliver certainty and peace of mind for every partner and patient they serve.
For more information, visit ludwigplus.com.
Furniture Bank in Pontiac to Host Disco Night Fundraiser Saturday
The Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan has created an all-new disco-themed fundraiser to inspire giving for local families in need. It will take place Saturday from 8 p.m.-midnight at the Detroit Public Theatre (3960 Third Ave.) in Detroit.
Disco Night will feature a 1970s disco theme with dancing, small bites, a cash bar, a silent auction, and prizes.
Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased online or by contacting the Furniture Bank at 248-332-1300 and events@Furniture-Bank.org.
