Workers take pride in restoring Michigan Central Station

It's a labor of love for many at the historic Detroit train station

DETROIT – Crews will install 1,080 windows in the Michigan Central Station tower.

That's 72 windows on each of the 15 floors. Each member of the crew has his own reasons for being involved.

With one window at a time they're restoring a Detroit landmark. Many waited months while hoping to be hired for the job.

"When I first walked through the door it took me by surprise. The very first day I showed up on this gig," said Isaiah Ford.

The building has that effect on everyone who enters. The station's historical significance is often on the back of the workers' minds.

"I just wanted to be a part of it, you know, and just seeing this whole building while riding by for years and years, and just to be part of bringing it back feels good," said Ford. "I often wonder what it was like for the vets from World War II coming home and stuff like that. This was the building they were actually coming home to and departing from. A lot of that ran through my mind."

For some, there's a personal connection.

"I used to come here when I was a child and my dad was in the military. I used to go out on trains here. It was gorgeous and it's gonna be all redone again. I'm really happy," said Gary Chamberlain.

Chamberlain's Chamberlain Glass and Metal won the bid for this restoration project, and it's very much a labor of love.

"We traveled a lot out of here," he said. "I'm just glad to be ... 'round two' to redo it," he said.

As they work they often see curious people enamored with the building.

"Everyday we see people out there taking pictures all day long. I kid you not. It goes on from daylight up to the time we leave," said Ford.

Those pictures we all keep taking will look a lot better.

The window project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

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About the Author:

Priya joined WDIV-Local 4 in 2013 as a reporter and fill-in anchor. Education: B.A. in Communications/Post Grad in Advanced Journalism