So Dearborn’s new intermodal passenger rail station, which is getting built at a record pace for its opening in early 2014, will be named after John D. Dingell, Jr., the longest-serving member of Congress.

Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. says he initiated the honor because of Congressman Dingell’s steadfast support of Dearborn and its residents. He has called Dearborn home for decades.

“He has represented Dearborn since 1964. That’s longer than any other city in his historic career,” said O’Reilly, a good friend of the Congressman.

The Dearborn City Council unanimously approved the mayor’s naming proposal.

For those of you wondering who is paying for this monster construction project, $28.2 million is being funded from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The train station is a key component for significant rail initiatives, including the proposed commuter line between Ann Arbor and Detroit, and the high speed rail line between Detroit and Chicago, currently in the works.

For those of you who have asked, the City of Dearborn will be on the hook for maintaining the property, not Amtrak.

Where those funds will come from is yet to be sorted. The city is hoping it will be able to lease space in the new building for other businesses and that rent and taxes from those tenants will cover the building’s upkeep.

It will be interesting to see how all of this sorts itself out. Nothing is ever for free  .  .  .

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