M-1 Rail Project Announces Station Sponsors, Federal Funding (VIDEO)
By Edward Cardenas
DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - Stakeholders in the M-1 Rail project gathered Monday to formally announce a $12.2 federal grant for the rail line, and announce sponsors of the stations along the 3.3 route.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx announced the project was receiving the competitive grant from the government, which officials said will help cover the gap in the funding.
"What we saw with this M1 project ... was again the strength, determination and mettle of a great city that has a vision not only of a transportation asset that takes people to jobs, but in fact one that brings jobs to the people by revitalizing a critical part of Detroit," said Foxx. "When Detroit moves, America moves."
Foxx spoke at a ceremony in Grand Circus Park on Woodward in Detroit that included members of Michigan's congressional delegation, members of the M-1 Rail Board of Directors and M-1 Rail donors and partners.
Following the speeches, those in attendance signing two, five-foot pieces of steel that will be used in the track for streetcar.
"This is an opportunity partnership. This is an opportunity to strengthen the city and the state by creating something that is going to bind midtown and downtown together in a fabulous way,"said Gov. Rick Snyder.
M-1 Rail officials also announced sponsors for the stations along Woodward. Starting at Grand Blvd. and moving south, the sponsors are:
- Henry Ford Health System
- Penske
- Ford
- The Chrysler Foundation
- Wayne State University
- Compuware
- JP Morgan Chase & Co.
- DMC
- Ilitch Holdings, Inc.
- Chevrolet
- BlueCross BlueShield Association
- Quicken Loans
