Detroit is one step closer to developing a new downtown multimodal transportation hub. Detroit People Mover, a publicly funded component of the Detroit Transportation Corporation, anticipates releasing a request for consultant proposals in Jan. 2026 for a new Michigan Multimodal Facility, seeking to expand transit options for residents and upgrade city infrastructure for future growth.
While the official procurement sites have not yet published the Detroit multimodal transportation hub RFP, the agency’s notice signals that the planning phase for the hub will soon begin.
In October, 2025 MDOT and Michigan Central agreed to commit $40 million for research and engineering to redevelop about 30 acres into a new train and bus station that would reconnect passengers to the region, from Downtown Detroit to the airport, Ann Arbor, and eventually Windsor and Toronto. The work would bring long-unused rails back into service and improve access and function for existing bus routes.
The Detroit multimodal transportation hub’s goal is to create a Michigan Central connected station that anchors both rail and bus transportation and positions the Detroit-Corktown corridor as a growing area for jobs, education, and technology.
Detroit People Mover’s announcement says the consultant proposals will cover environmental and regulatory work along with detailed site design and planning. Consultants will be expected to create a mobility and innovation plan that includes engineering, architectural drawings, site circulation, utility coordination, and community engagement.
Under the project structure, the Detroit Transportation Corporation will manage funding recommendations to MDOT. Michigan Central will serve as the owners’ representative and project lead, guiding procurement, public engagement, design, engineering, and environmental work. MDOT will approve consultants and fund the intercity bus and passenger rail components through the NEPA, design, and construction phases. The City of Detroit will participate as a key stakeholder and adjacent property owner with an interest in future development tied to the project.
The proposed January 2026 start for the RFP process aligns with the schedule outlined in October 2025. Engineering and environmental assessments are due by Oct. 1, 2026, before a development agreement can be signed. Construction would run through Oct. 31, 2028, and the facility is targeted to open by Dec. 31, 2028.
Photo by paul (dex) bica, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, from Wikimedia Commons
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