Photo: Ford
For the better part of the last half of century, one of Detroit's most famous ruins was the Michigan Central Station. A little over one year ago, one of the city's resident automakers, Ford, decided to do something about it.
In May 2018 Ford said it will be re-converting the location into “a vibrant new campus that will serve as an innovation hub for Ford’s vision for the future of transportation.” Among other things, the Station will house the carmaker's Team Edison, a group created with the sole purpose of designing electric and autonomous vehicles.
As work on restoring the Station progresses, Ford started thinking about means to get the thousands of people to and fro at the location on a daily basis. For this purpose, the public transportation system appears not to be enough.
Together with the City of Detroit and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation the Blue Oval announced this week the start of the City:One Michigan Central Station Challenge. The goal of the program is to find the best mobility solutions for the area.
“As the city that put the world on wheels, innovation is in the DNA of all Detroiters. I’m certain that the City:One Challenge collaboration between Ford and the residents around Michigan Central Station will result in a number of unique ideas that will make it easier, safer, and more affordable to get around the area,” said in a statement Mark de la Vergne, the city's chief of mobility innovations.
Open to all local residents and groups, the challenge will award up to $250,000 to pilot these proposed solutions, and an additional $78,000 in stipends for groups to develop their proposals.
The program lasts for eight months and will see 12 ideas selected for the final. Those interested to register can do so by following this link. More details about the project can be found in the document attached below.
The Michigan Central Station, built as the main intercity passenger rail depot in the city in 1914, has been abandoned ever since 1988. Ford is investing $740 million to revive it.
As work on restoring the Station progresses, Ford started thinking about means to get the thousands of people to and fro at the location on a daily basis. For this purpose, the public transportation system appears not to be enough.
Together with the City of Detroit and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation the Blue Oval announced this week the start of the City:One Michigan Central Station Challenge. The goal of the program is to find the best mobility solutions for the area.
“As the city that put the world on wheels, innovation is in the DNA of all Detroiters. I’m certain that the City:One Challenge collaboration between Ford and the residents around Michigan Central Station will result in a number of unique ideas that will make it easier, safer, and more affordable to get around the area,” said in a statement Mark de la Vergne, the city's chief of mobility innovations.
Open to all local residents and groups, the challenge will award up to $250,000 to pilot these proposed solutions, and an additional $78,000 in stipends for groups to develop their proposals.
The program lasts for eight months and will see 12 ideas selected for the final. Those interested to register can do so by following this link. More details about the project can be found in the document attached below.
The Michigan Central Station, built as the main intercity passenger rail depot in the city in 1914, has been abandoned ever since 1988. Ford is investing $740 million to revive it.
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