CAM Releases the Building Michigan Podcast, Episode 21

Inside CAM’s Project of the Year – Michigan Central Station

Bloomfield Hills, MI (May 28, 2025) - In Season 4, Episode 3 of the Building Michigan podcast, we dive deep into the monumental restoration of Michigan Central Station, the recipient of CAM Magazine’s 2024 Project of the Year Award. Once a stark symbol of Detroit's industrial decline, this iconic landmark has been meticulously brought back to life and now stands as the vibrant heart of Corktown’s new Innovation District.

Hosted by CAM President Kevin Koehler, this episode features:

• Larry Brinker Jr., CEO of The Brinker Group, a leader in Detroit's construction industry who brings a wealth of experience in revitalizing the city and mentoring future leaders.
• Ron Staley, founder of Christman's Historic Preservation Group, a national expert in historic preservation with over 40 years of experience.
• Austin Giesey, Senior Project Manager from The Christman Company, who has a background in engineering and played a crucial role in coordinating the renovation.

Their collective expertise and dedication helped transform the dilapidated train station into a beacon of Detroit's renaissance.

The Unseen Challenges: A Look Behind the Restoration

The $940 million renovation of Michigan Central Station was a five-year undertaking, encompassing 1.7 million man-hours and involving over 3,100 workers. The team faced immense logistical hurdles, starting even before public knowledge of Ford's acquisition. The building has extensive structural issues, including 6-8 feet of standing water in the basement, over 1,000 holes in the tower floors, and piles of hazardous debris. The team even discovered a previously unknown, deeper basement section that had been mistakenly drawn as "backfilled" on original plans, requiring 1,600 cubic yards of flowable fill to address. A crucial partnership with MIOSHA was instrumental in ensuring worker safety throughout the complex process. Unannounced job site walks and open communication helped ensure the well-being of thousands of workers.

The Art of Preservation: Recreating History

Beyond the logistical challenges, the Michigan Central Station project is a testament to the artistry and dedication of Michigan's skilled trades workers. The discovery of original building plans, including structural and light fixture drawings, proved invaluable. This allowed for the meticulous recreation of elements like the original light fixtures, a two-and-a-half-year process.

“It just goes back to the point of construction: we are artisans, we are creators, we are doing things that no one else can do.” – Larry Brinker Jr.

When 3D scanning failed to replicate the station’s capital pilasters, a Michigan-based artisan, John Goodrow Sr. of Capital Stoneworks Inc., carved a single limestone capital by hand, a feat that took over 400 man-hours. This hand-carved piece was then laser-scanned to recreate the rest of the stonework. The masonry restoration was the project's largest undertaking, with over 170 masons and laborers on site daily, showcasing the collaborative spirit within Michigan's construction industry.

“Saving the building saves over a century of legacy of family stories, because the building has touched so many people.” – Ron Staley

Read a feature article on the Michigan Central Station renovation in CAM Magazine’s October 2024 Issue.

If you enjoy this episode, you can purchase the book Ruin to Revival: Restoring Michigan Central Station: The Builders Journey, authored by Ron, Austin, and Rob Yallop, documenting each step of the rehabilitation.

Podcast Information