DETROIT — “Iconic Detroit performers” will headline the opening-night concert for the revitalized Michigan Central station, the company in charge of the facility announced Tuesday, although no specific acts have been announced.
The Detroit Free Press reports that the lineup is not yet set as producers continue to nail down commitments, but names “circulating in the music industry circles” include Eminem, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Jack White, and Big Sean. Acts would perform sets of 15 to 20 minutes each.
The concert at Roosevelt Park in front of the station will accommodate a crowd of 15,000. Tickets will be free but require advance registration; those in neighborhoods around the station will get first crack starting on May 17, with tickets available to the general public on May 21. Registration will be at the Michigan Central website.
The concert will serve as the kickoff for what Ford Motor Co., which restored the station, and Michigan Central are calling “Michigan Central OPEN.” The 10 days following the concert will feature tours and other events; registration for the tours also begins May 21.
“I am truly excited to share the historic Michigan Central Station restoration with the entire Detroit community and beyond,” said Bill Ford, executive chair of Ford, said as part of Tuesday’s announcement. “This is a milestone we can all celebrate. Michigan Central Station was once a symbol of Detroit’s decline, and now it is going to represent its renewal and bright future. This monumental project has taken more than 1.7 million hours of work and reflects Ford’s dedication to the community, Detroit’s role in shaping the future of mobility, and the opportunities that our city, state, and region continue to offer.”
How long before it’s “tagged” like too many a boxcar?