
With the grand re-opening of Michigan Central Station — named Michigan Central OPEN —in a little more than a month, plans for the celebration are coming into focus, evidenced by the station’s plans submitted for Detroit City Council approval Tuesday.
Events will run from June 6-16 with performances, station tours, at least 16 neighborhood discussions, and family-friendly activities, first reported by The Detroit News.
The station will open to media on June 6 and an event led by Bill and Lisa Ford to thank those who supported the Michigan Central Children’s Endowment. That is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.
A free 90-minute outdoor concert hits the stage at 8:30 p.m. Gates for the concert will open at 6 p.m. The event will be streamed globally. Pre-registration will be required for all events.
Tours of the refurbished train station will begin June 7, as well as an open forum with leadership of Michigan Central and Newlab at Michigan Central. Other food service, performances, displays, and activities also are expected.
Free ticketed tours will take place:
- June 7, noon-10 p.m.
- June 8, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
- June 9, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- June 10-13, noon-8 p.m.
- June 14-15, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
- June 16, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Open houses are proposed to continue June 21-Aug. 31 from 5-9 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
“Michigan Central and Ford Motor Co. are planning a multi-day celebration to welcome Detroit and the world back into the iconic Michigan Central Station,” says Catherine Kelly, head of editorial and communications for Michigan Central. “After a meticulous, six-year historic restoration, we are excited to share the station’s transformation with everyone this June.”
Among the plans submitted to City Council is an OPEN sculpture, which will guide visitors to the entry point of the open houses with empty frames people can pose with the train station in the background. Food trucks are expected to line the streets to serve a variety of culinary options.