Save the Depot?

This is the third blog post about Detroit. I recommend you read the first then the second posting before you read this one.
The Michigan central depot is the topic of much debate in Detroit. It was built in 1913 and at the time of its completion was the largest train station in the world. It was designed by the Warren & Wetmore and Reed and Stem firms who also designed New York City's Grand Central Terminal. It must have been a truly awe inspiring building in its prime. It still is, the view from the outside is amazing, but does no justice to the structure when you are actually in it. In 1975 the depot was added to the national register of historic buildings. But in 1988 the depot was closed. Detroit City Council voted in 2009 to demolish the building. There has since been an outcry against the demolition of the building and even lawsuits against the city because the depot is on the national register of historic buildings. What will happen to the abandoned depot? I can't say, but you'll be able to tell from the photos that the building is so dilapidated that it is probably beyond repair. On Monday July 19th we snuck into the building and took a look around.
This is the outside front of the Train Depot.




This is the rear of the building. The tracks go over that overpass above the street. We had to sneak into the Depot through a broken wall under those tracks.

Under the tracks.




In the basement of the Depot.







This is where we started to get into the main lobby/waiting room.




There's kevin in the bottom right hand corner to give you an idea of the scale.





I don't know how or why but literally every single window in the whole building has been broken. Great job...












18 stories to the roof.

These pictures were taken in the tower on the way up.



There are the train tracks in the back that we snuck under. In the distance is the bridge to Canada, and Windsor Canada on the other side of the Detroit river.





I love this picture for some reason.




The roof.

Downtown from the roof.



I think that's for the elevator.

See how green Detroit is becoming.

I don't remember where Kevin said this was, but those buildings in the distance are in a neighborhood that according to him has the worst air quality in any city in the country.





Elevator.






View of the lobby from above.

This is between the lobby and the tower.



This is the back of the building.

Amazing... Its a shame that it has gotten to the point its at now. But there are probably more important things for the city to spend its money one then saving the Train Depot that is barely still standing.