  Realitycheck Member Username: Realitycheck Post Number: 274 Registered: 08-2004 |
Lengthy piece on Matty today fills more than half of DetNews front page. It's by their ex-NYTimes star, who interviewed MM for "a few hours." Full piece here. quote: | ||
Eriedearie Member Username: Eriedearie Post Number: 3206 Registered: 08-2007 |
Very interesting piece. Thanks for posting it Realitycheck. | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 1575 Registered: 11-2005 |
This is the biggest joke I've read on several levels. First, LeDuff used to be at the New York Times and should know what it means to write a balanced story. Instead, he throws Matty Moron (sic) a pity party. He tells us about all of his "friends," even though all he did was throw them campaign money, but he doesn't talk to any of his many, many, many enemies. And why didn't he tell us just how MUCH money he gave to Granholm, et al? Not hard to find out as it's public record. Second, the story seems to justify what Moron has done to Michigan Central Station. It's OK what he's done to it because ... it's a historic landmark? Puh-lease. Third, the Riverside Park battle was not presented fairly. Like the rest of the story, it's all Moron, nothing from those who oppose him. Fourth, you can't die from MS as this story says. I should know, as I have it. I've been impressed with LeDuff's work before, but this is absolute crap. Maybe LeDuff's trying to get a PR job with the Ambassador Bridge Co. | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 2758 Registered: 10-2003 |
Building another bridge would be nothing more than an added income. If the guy is so concerned about a legacy, why not "throw money at" the MCS, restoring it to like new condition. In addition, make the station functional once again, making it the new depot for Amtrak and a hub for regional mass transit. Perhaps the guy could even "throw some money at" one of the proposed regional mass transit ideas being floated around. Hell, if he wants to fund one of the main lines up one of Detroit's main arteries, he can even slap his name on it for eternity. A legacy? How about funding a program like a western Michigan city has, where every student that completes their education K-12 at DPS receives a college scholarship? Since he owns more property than anybody in the state aside from the state itself, how about maybe making the places livable and housing the thousands of homeless in this state? Building a bridge a legacy? Nice fuckin' try. Somebody needs to sit back and ponder why his dad and sisters had a secret meeting he wasn't invited to. | ||
Busterwmu Member Username: Busterwmu Post Number: 441 Registered: 09-2004 |
I can promise Matty that no one, not a single person, will look at the new Ambassador Bridge when it is done in 15 years and say "my, what a great legacy Matty left us, he truly was a visionary." NO ONE will say that Matty. He will have just kicked little kids and families out of their homes. The bridge will be more Joseph Bower's than anyones. He had the vision to get the thing built in the first place. I did a report a few years back on the bridge. The sources I was using were old though and Matty was not yet in the picture. But allow me to quote: Symbol of decay More than anything, it is Moroun's ownership of the decrepit Michigan Central Railroad Depot, the embarrassing symbol of Detroit's urban decay, which has tarnished Moroun's reputation. "I hate being associated with that," he said when asked about it. "What the hell am I supposed to do with it?" Moroun bought it in the mid-'90s for a song, thinking it might have some future value with its rail yard. It has proven to be an albatross. "I can't sell it and I won't give it away for a dollar. I can't redevelop it. Who would want to go in there? Nobody. There's no reason. That's throwing money to the wind. Can't tear it down, it's an historic landmark." So the station hulks there, gutted, toothless, windswept, vandalized. Look through empty frames where the windows used to be and you can see the bridge to Canada. Look through the empty frames where the windows used to be and you see Matty Moroun. -------- Why can't you sell it? You continue to sit your old ass on top of it for some reason, we're not hoodwinked into thinking otherwise. What are you supposed to do with it Matty? Poor you, with your billions. You could secure it properly, at least make it look good outside, if nothing else. Why WON'T you give it away for a $1? Notice he doesn't say "Can't," he says "won't." Seems to me like the Buffalo station, which was on brink just the same way MC currently is, was given to a nonprofit for $1, and though it's certainly not ready to accept any trains, it's in significantly better shape that it was 5 or 10 years ago. But Mr. Moron "won't" give it away for that $1. It would hurt his thin little pocketbook too much. He COULD redevelop it and people WOULD want to go in there. Thank goodness for historic landmark status, but it doesn't seem to be encouraging him to do anything. OK I'm off my little soapbox platform... for now. | ||
Mdoyle Member Username: Mdoyle Post Number: 501 Registered: 10-2006 |
His apparent apathy toward the station is frustrating. the building should have been secured years ago. This past summer was one of the worst for graffiti inside the building and the overall conditions. Does anyone think that something like what they did in Buffalo would be possible @ MCS? http://buffalocentralterminal. org/ not for the entire structure of course. | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 3304 Registered: 07-2004 |
I believe he hasn't sold it because it would make a terrific staging are for the "jobs tunnel" a competing idea. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 8813 Registered: 12-2003 |
Supersport, You just earned yerself a drink or two. Cheers! | ||
Gsgeorge Member Username: Gsgeorge Post Number: 649 Registered: 08-2006 |
He has over $1.5 billion and he doesn't know what to do with the station? How about putting 1/100th of your wealth into securing the structure from vandals and visitors, and starting a private partnership to rehabilitate the structure, with plans to reopen it in the future as a shopping center, office complex, casino -- or dare I say transit center? Anything, the possibilities are endless. If Matty is such a forward-thinking visionary he would have seen the station as a real symbol of his legacy and put his money there. No one is going to look at the dual span and a decrepit MCS and say, "Thank Matty." But it goes without saying that countless thousands would look at a rehabilitated MCS and say, "Thank you Matty, really and truly--thank you." PS edit: Just saw Supersports message which is similar to mine. Seems I posted in a fit of rage without checking the other responses. (Message edited by gsgeorge on December 15, 2008) | ||
Realitycheck Member Username: Realitycheck Post Number: 277 Registered: 08-2004 |
Joel Thurtell also is less than enraptured by LeDuff's piece, though he welcomes the overdue spotlight and "thorough reporting." quote: | ||
Mcwalbucksnfitch Member Username: Mcwalbucksnfitch Post Number: 82 Registered: 10-2006 |
That article infuriates me. What an arrogant SOB. | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 7272 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: Please, shed some light on this Vampire who prefers hiding in the shadows. | ||
Eriedearie Member Username: Eriedearie Post Number: 3215 Registered: 08-2007 |
I agree. Here we are getting a fancy, up-to date freeway enhancement at the bridge; a nice entrance to Mexicantown; and within sight of it all sits the MCS which looks like a bombed out hulk of a structure. He could use some of his billions to fix it up. Yes, that could be the legacy he leaves this area. Every time I cross the border I look at the MCS looming right there and I wonder what visitors to the area think of that. They have to be wondering some awful things about our city. | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 1633 Registered: 05-2005 |
quote: this statement could easily be applied to the whole city | ||
Goat Member Username: Goat Post Number: 2915 Registered: 10-2003 |
Why doesn't he sell if for a dollar then? He wants to sell it but make a profit off of the sale. I have no issue with that but he shouldn't pretend he "can't" sell the MCS. As for the bridge, maybe the old bastard should put a few bucks into it and fix it properly. That may help spruce it up a bit. Nothing like hearing a billionaire (or multi millnionaire) cry into his champagne. He can go fuck himself...his seed of a son as well. | ||
Realitycheck Member Username: Realitycheck Post Number: 278 Registered: 08-2004 |
More than a dozen comments posted on News Talk reader forum thread here. Excerpts: quote: | ||
Detroit313 Member Username: Detroit313 Post Number: 763 Registered: 02-2006 |
Supersport- You're my hero! you hit it right on the nose. <313> | ||
Oldredfordette Member Username: Oldredfordette Post Number: 5795 Registered: 02-2004 |
One of the worst stories printed in those papers in a long, long time. I'm sure the troll under the bridge had copies framed and hung in his house. | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 3902 Registered: 10-2003 |
At his age and advanced wealth, he shouldn't be concerned about selling the MCS for a real profit, anymore. As someone said, I'm not going to call for him to redevelop it, but damnit, get the hell off the property, already. Or, at the very least, he should empty the damned seat cushions on his sofa to at least properly secure the thing. For that, there is no excuse. There are a lot of villians who I believe are complicated enough that they deserve stories like this. Matty isn't one of them. He's never been a benevolent force in the city, and seems to forget the whole thing about great responsibility coming with great power. | ||
Brandon48202 Member Username: Brandon48202 Post Number: 211 Registered: 12-2004 |
At his age he should think twice about buying green bananas! | ||
Ruxy17 Member Username: Ruxy17 Post Number: 37 Registered: 08-2007 |
perhaps with some pressure from the public he'd sell? i'm, shamefully, a little ignorant of the history of MCS... have there been serious protests or movements to do something with it? | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 2099 Registered: 03-2008 |
Quotes pertaining to MCS: More than anything, it is Moroun's ownership of the decrepit Michigan Central Railroad Depot, the embarrassing symbol of Detroit's urban decay, which has tarnished Moroun's reputation. "I hate being associated with that," he said when asked about it. "What the hell am I supposed to do with it?" Moroun bought it in the mid-'90s for a song, thinking it might have some future value with its rail yard. It has proven to be an albatross. "I can't sell it and I won't give it away for a dollar. I can't redevelop it. Who would want to go in there? Nobody. There's no reason. That's throwing money to the wind. Can't tear it down, it's an historic landmark." So the station hulks there, gutted, toothless, windswept, vandalized. Look through empty frames where the windows used to be and you can see the bridge to Canada. Look through the empty frames where the windows used to be and you see Matty Moroun. He does make it sound that he is open to suggestions and proposals. | ||
Ruxy17 Member Username: Ruxy17 Post Number: 38 Registered: 08-2007 |
btw, i laughed out loud when i read that last line. "look through the empty frames...and you see...MATTY MOROUN." gag me. | ||
1953 Member Username: 1953 Post Number: 1008 Registered: 12-2004 |
Detroit should deal with him. He can have his bridge, if he refurbishes the train station entirely. | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 7280 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: Please, stop by and explain your plans to him Centra Inc. 12225 Stephen Rd. Warren, MI 48089-2010 Let us know how your reception went. | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 3907 Registered: 10-2003 |
lol! @ Jams Yes, Sean, please let us know what he says.  Again, he doesn't have to renovate it, but he sure as hell can't be allowed squat on it if he doesn't. You know, normal folks that doesn't properly secure obviously abanonded properties are fined. Why should he be any different? (Message edited by lmichigan on December 15, 2008) | ||
Kathinozarks Member Username: Kathinozarks Post Number: 1745 Registered: 11-2006 |
You know that one of you or a whole group just HAS to get a meeting with this man. Take him a DY t-shirt, mug, calendar, etc and pour the love on him. I would love to do this. This is something that I love to do. Let me know if someone speaks with him. Definitely take a young, pretty woman because a young woman always helps if he is old. | ||
Ruxy17 Member Username: Ruxy17 Post Number: 40 Registered: 08-2007 |
i'm a young pretty woman | ||
Hunchentoot Member Username: Hunchentoot Post Number: 119 Registered: 03-2005 |
The best approach is the legacy approach. He would essentially be Superman if he did the right thing and renovated MCS. He would be Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas morning. If there is any way to convince him to fix that building, that must be it. Other than that, it should be taken away from him one way or another, and NOT end up in the hands of the DEGC or any other person or organization who says that they "don't preserve blight" when they mean that they will demolish anything as long as it's easy. The city is talking about a land swap so he can keep his squat at Riverside Extension Park. Riverside in exchange for MCS would be fair. | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 7281 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: This is not about simply control of a single bridge, the real concern is the private control of the NAFTA Super-Highway stretching from Mexico to Canada. He also has a proposal for a new bridge in the Buffalo-Niagra region for trucks only. If he succeeds, he, as a private individual, will control the two busiest border crossings in the Eastern USA. Of course, as the owner of 143 trucking companies that receive lowered rates, he controls most of the international trade between the two countries. And as a private corporation he is exempt (so he Thinks) from Governmental oversight. | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 2100 Registered: 03-2008 |
Or you could, since you guys have more experience then me. Do you guys really think it would have been better if he never bought it? | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 3913 Registered: 10-2003 |
Considering how poorly he shuttered it, yes, definitely. As someone already made mention of, Buffalo, New York has its own monster of an abandoned train station with an attached office tower, the Buffalo Central Terminal. It's been abanonded for about the same number of years as the MCS, yet back in 1997 the building was sold for a $1 to a local preservation group to keep up. Needless to say, it's in much better shape because of this. Let's not be mistaken, the current state of the MCS is due to a poor cordoning off of the property for years. It was neglect, not some act of God, that got this property looking like it does. (Message edited by lmichigan on December 16, 2008) | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 3914 Registered: 10-2003 |
BTW, here is a link to the non-profit that bought the building to preserve and market, it's called the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation. I hope there are folks in Detroit with the money and more importantly, time, to form something similar. It really help, though, if we knew Matty were receptive to something like this, and despite what he may have said to LeDuff, there is nothing to indicate in his history that he'd be willing to give the thing up, and especially for a good cause. If that is the case, then no one should waste their time forming a group. | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 2103 Registered: 03-2008 |
Yeah, he said he wouldn't give it away. So... he'd probably have to make a profit, or hang onto it as an asset, right? Also, you're most definately right about it not being secured properly, but it really seems like majority of the other investors in Detroit back then, would have all done the same thing. Actually, wasn't he the only potential buyer? Maybe I'm thinking of a Higgins property... Anyway, I really think he would at least consider any plan that met his criteria. | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 3916 Registered: 10-2003 |
The problem is that, as you've even agreed, his criteria seems to include making some serious money off the thing. If that's one of the criteria, that instantly rules out the great majority of preservationist wanting to at least gain control of the property to properly seal it and market it to potential developers. Has he ever offered to sell the thing? Has he ever put it on the market? If the answer is no, that kind of tells you his motives, right there. BTW, anyone know how much he pays in taxes on the structure every year? The online city assessment tool should have the answer. (Message edited by lmichigan on December 16, 2008) | ||
Thnk2mch Member Username: Thnk2mch Post Number: 1305 Registered: 02-2006 |
Here is another old train station success story - just because. Central Railroad of New Jersey http://www.njcu.edu/programs/j chistory/Pages/C_Pages/Central _Railroad_of_New_Jersey.html | ||
Cman710 Member Username: Cman710 Post Number: 570 Registered: 07-2006 |
I agree. I think he was probably originally hoping that he could sell the property for a profit. Now, he views it as an "albatross" and probably wants to make money on it. That's simply not going to happen anytime soon. | ||
Gnome Member Username: Gnome Post Number: 2167 Registered: 08-2007 |
 | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 7287 Registered: 10-2003 |
My new favourite Christmas picture. Good job. | ||
Goat Member Username: Goat Post Number: 2923 Registered: 10-2003 |
Matty cares about two things in his life and you decide which order. Himself, his son. O.k. maybe one and a half things. But if any of you understand this man you will know he just doesn't give a shit unless he gets something in return. He is an aweful, aweful man were money hasn't made him happy at all. Just think of C.M Burns but fatter. | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 2761 Registered: 10-2003 |
The train station in Kansas City, MO is another success story that was in much the same condition as MCS. http://www.unionstation.org/ quote: http://www.unionstation.org/ab outus.html | ||
Wood Member Username: Wood Post Number: 77 Registered: 05-2006 |
also, Omaha's art deco station has been converted to a wonderful museum. | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 2104 Registered: 03-2008 |
All to true Lmichigan. My view might be a little off I guess (not to mention, I don't have the vast experience others do). If preservation is what's really important to some, why can't those groups work with a developer and the owners to make it happen? I know I'm still a little green, but couldn't your usual tax incentives be used to lure in a developer's viable project, with the preservationists picking up the extras of historic restoration and preservation? So long as the preservationists, tax payers, and/or the general public have guaranteed access to the building, who cares if he profits? The communities surrounding it would see property values rise, the owners would see a profit, the developers would see a profit, the preservation groups would have saved the building, the occupants would be happy, our image would improve slightly, and Michigan would have MCS to enjoy for generations to come. It could be a win, win, win, win (however many wins). What am I missing? (Message edited by Sean_of_Detroit on December 16, 2008) | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 5042 Registered: 06-2004 |
money. I recall a woman years ago trying to raise funding to just have a feasibility study done on MCS but the study cost alone was going to run about $2 mil. | ||
My2cents Member Username: My2cents Post Number: 61 Registered: 10-2003 |
Gnome, Are you willing to share that most awesome photo? | ||
Gnome Member Username: Gnome Post Number: 2168 Registered: 08-2007 |
2scents, sure, I think you can download it by right-clicking on the pic. If you need something else, let me know. | ||
Pgn421 Member Username: Pgn421 Post Number: 972 Registered: 02-2005 |
Matty is a very schrewd businessman. i did business with him when he had Mohawk Motor. | ||
3rdworldcity Member Username: 3rdworldcity Post Number: 1283 Registered: 01-2005 |
About 25 years ago there was an effort made to develop the MCS as a "World Trade Center." (There were several licenses/franchises available to use the name, and I was peripherally involved in the one in Ft. Lauderdale.) The WTCs were planned to provided office space to companies involved in international trade and all the planned WTCs were to be interlinked by computers to comprise a large trading operation, eventually to become worldwide. I was again peripherally involved in the Detroit effort, which never got off the ground. Personally, I recognize it as a vacant, vandalized, functionally obsolete structure which should be demolished. Maroun recognizes that if there was a penny to be made from doing anything other than what he's doing he would do it. I'm always amazed at the folks who have all the answers with respect to redevelopment, restoration and so forth but who don't raise the money to buy and save it. Might not be so easy. I hope you all know that. And, Matty did not get rich by pissing money away. I'd hope that every dollar he might wish to spend on that building he would instead give to charity. Hey, it's his money. | ||
Atothel Member Username: Atothel Post Number: 3 Registered: 03-2008 |
super interesting! | ||
Bearinabox Member Username: Bearinabox Post Number: 1079 Registered: 04-2006 |
quote:What would he want with another penny? You'd think by the time he got to be a billionaire, he'd realize that how much dough you can squeeze out of something isn't the end-all-be-all of every situation. quote:Might be easier if Matty were willing to work with said folks, instead of sitting on the damn thing waiting for someone to make him a seven-figure offer (or whatever the hell it is he's waiting for, sometimes it's hard to tell). | ||
Psewick Member Username: Psewick Post Number: 106 Registered: 03-2006 |
"Matty did not get rich by pissing money away. I'd hope that every dollar he might wish to spend on that building he would instead give to charity." Ah, wouldn't restoring the train station be considered a "charitable" act? | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 1225 Registered: 11-2003 |
MCS will never be used for a train station again. Its location on tracks does not line up with Amtrak's routing into the northern suburbs from Dearborn/Ann Arbor. It is located at the end of a line unless a train wants to continue on to Canada. This is why the current Amshack is used as a station near New Center. One would assume the long talked about new station will become a reality with the Ann Arbor to Detroit rail line starting a couple years, and also if the light rail line down Woodward happens. | ||
Hubbardfarmer Member Username: Hubbardfarmer Post Number: 21 Registered: 10-2008 |
This is probably a rehash for some in this forum, but Forbes did a much more extensive and revealing article on Moroun about four years ago: http://www.forbes.com/business /forbes/2004/1115/134.html |
