Partnerships
Michigan Central will be an open platform for partnership, because solving complex transportation challenges can’t be done alone.
We need to attract world-class talent, startups, entrepreneurs, and partners to join us in designing new mobility solutions for the way people and goods will move around in the future.
We must build for the world we are moving into, not the one we’ve always known.
Michigan Central is a new model of innovation: open, collaborative, diverse, and dynamic: finding solutions for real-world situations, on real-world streets.
The perfect platform to start the next revolution in urban transportation. One that will improve mobility access for everyone and prepare cities, regions and the world for a more connected, autonomous and electrified future.

Autonomous Vehicle Testing in Detroit
Ford is actively testing a fleet of self-driving vehicles with our partner Argo AI on the streets of Detroit, as well as five other cities – Austin, Miami, Palo Alto, Pittsburgh and Washington D.C.
Our goal is to help improve safety and mobility in cities and towns, whether that is creating smart infrastructure or smarter vehicles. We also want to ensure we are establishing trust in the cities where we operate so we work closely with city leaders in everything we do.
Two people sit inside every vehicle on the road, monitoring performance, and the vehicles are equipped with a sophisticated sensor suite, including radar, lidar and cameras with high resolution and dynamic range.

Our Collaborators
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Rossetti
A 50-year-old Detroit-based, multi-disciplinary practice focused on architectural design, urban planning, interiors and graphics. Rosetti will be designing the new Bagley parking hub connecting Michigan Central to the future greenway and Detroit Riverfront developments.
Visit Rossetti
PAU – Practice for Architecture and Urbanism
PAU designs lasting architecture and humanist urbanism to advance the city of the future. PAU is leading the Designing of the Michigan Central Mobility Innovation District Site plan.
Visit PAU
Newlab
Newlab is a community of experts and innovators applying transformative technology to solve the world's biggest challenges. Newlab membership and studios bring together entrepreneurs, engineers, inventors, and industry leaders to create sustainable solutions and enterprises. Newlab recently launched two studios with Ford and Michigan Central to address mobility challenges and bridge accessibility gaps.
Visit Newlab
Buro Happold
Buro Happold is a multidisciplinary engineering firm providing mobility planning support to Michigan Central.
Visit Buro Happold
Office of Future Mobility and Electrification
The office will work across state government, academia and private industry to enhance Michigan's mobility ecosystem, including developing dynamic mobility and electrification policies and supporting the startup and scale up of emerging technologies and businesses.
Visit Planet M
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
The office will work across state government, academia and private industry to enhance Michigan's mobility ecosystem, including developing dynamic mobility and electrification policies and supporting the startup and scale up of emerging technologies and businesses.
Visit Planet M
Cavnue
Cavnue is an applied autonomy company enabling autonomous driving through technology-enabled infrastructure. Cavnue is leading the development of the first connected automated vehicle laneway in North America, including a potential connection to Michigan Central Station.

Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is a non-profit organization with the mission to develop public access to Detroit's Riverfront and serve as an anchor for economic development. As the permanent stewards of the Riverwalk and the Dequindre Cut, the Conservancy is responsible for raising the funds needed for construction, operation, maintenance, security and programming of the public spaces located along the riverfront. In 2021, the Conservancy will begin construction on a beautiful new pedestrian greenway that will provide users with safe and convenient access between the Michigan Central campus and the Detroit Riverfront.

Ford Motor Company Fund
As the philanthropic arm of Ford, Ford Motor Company Fund's mission is to strengthen communities and help make people's lives better. Working with dealers and nonprofit partners in more than 50 countries, Ford Fund provides access to opportunities and resources that help people reach their full potential. Since 1949, Ford Fund has invested more than $2 billion in programs that support education, promote safe driving, enrich community life and encourage employee volunteerism.

Giffels Webster
Civil Engineer and Landscape Architect of Record. Lead civil engineer designing the stormwater managements, site grading, paving and utility systems. Landscape architect of record, completing the landscape and hardscape plans and details and administering the construction observation and implementation of the plans.

Brand Bureau
AvroKO is one of the most impactful and influential design firms in hospitality, known for their award-winning work that resonates with guests through narrative-driven concepts and environmental psychology. Sister studio Brand Bureau is a creative agency integrating branding, strategy, and experience design. Together, the Brand Bureau and AvroKO teams partnered with Ford to reimagine the future of Michigan Central Station through research-driven placemaking and experiential strategy, spatial layouts, and interior concept design.

AvroKO
AvroKO is one of the most impactful and influential design firms in hospitality, known for their award-winning work that resonates with guests through narrative-driven concepts and environmental psychology. Sister studio Brand Bureau is a creative agency integrating branding, strategy, and experience design. Together, the Brand Bureau and AvroKO teams partnered with Ford to reimagine the future of Michigan Central Station through research-driven placemaking and experiential strategy, spatial layouts, and interior concept design.

LivingLAB Detroit
Local Landscape Architect. Landscape architect providing local context and programming guidance on the landscape, hardscape and public spaces.

Resurget Engineering
Structural and Dynamic Structure Engineer. Structural engineer analyzing the existing historic structures on site and developing rehabilitation plans and details and designing new structures, retaining walls and foundations to support the public space designs.

Quinn Evans
Historic Preservation Consultant and Architect. Lead architect of the design of new structures and the rehabilitation of historically significant elements of the project.

Peter Basso Associates, Inc.
Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Engineering Consultant. Lead engineer of the various utility and infrastructure systems to support the innovative networks of the public spaces

Illuminart
Lighting Consultant. Engineer and designer of the lighting systems of the environment and structures.

Aqueous Consultants
Irrigation Consultant

Mark Allen & Associates
Cost Estimator

ETM Associates, L.L.C.
Operations & Management Consultant. Lead consultant on the operations, maintenance and logistics of the public spaces and their programming.

Soil Material Engineers
Geotechnical and Structural Material Testing. Lead consultant performing geotechnical and existing structure field and lab testing and analysis.

Mikyoung Kim Design
Mikyoung Kim Design is an award winning international urban design and landscape architecture firm with a distinctive design approach that weaves together the art and science of place making. The firm’s work focuses on bringing communities together with landscapes in celebration of unity, sustainability and health. Each project reflects the complex cultural identity and unique aspirations of a community creating civic spaces that transform cities, both culturally and ecologically. From day to night, wet to dry, and season to season, Mikyoung Kim Design creates a vibrancy that enlivens neighborhoods and celebrates the collective human experience.

Farmboy
At Farmboy Fine Arts®, we’re spatial activists, striving to change lives with art. Our work imparts creativity and artful thinking into built and public environments, delivering more engaging humanistic experiences. For over 20-years, we’ve pursued this goal across borders, industries and cultures, exposing and educating partners to the transformative qualities of art. From art program development and logistics, to art investment and management, FBFA™ supports our clients in creating authentic connection points with their audiences.
Michigan Central + Newlab Studios
Michigan Central has collaborated with Brooklyn’s Newlab to launch two studios to drive sustained mobility innovation in Detroit, lay the foundation for the ecosystem we are creating in Corktown and tackle complex urban transportation problems. The studios, one focusing on macro mobility issues and the other on issues impacting local communities, will work together with Detroit and Michigan-based accelerators and incubators, helping to grow the local startup ecosystem and add new talent, businesses and capital.
