MANUEL MOROUN

DETROIT – Longtime Detroit businessman, and owner of the Ambassador Bridge, Manuel “Matty” Moroun, has died at 93, according to his family. The Moroun family, which has stakes in other transportation businesses, has a net worth of more than $1 billion, according to Forbes. “The Detroit Regional Chamber extends its condolences to the family and friends of Manuel ‘Matty’ Moroun – especially to his son Matt and wife Nora who are so engaged in our community. Matty Moroun was a self-made success story. With his passing, we celebrate his life and the family he built in Detroit,” said Sandy K. Baruah, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber.

Multiple outlets are reporting that the Moroun family, who owns the Ambassador Bridge and once owned Michigan Central Station, have bought the large Bel Air Shopping Centre on Detroits northeast side. According to the Detroit News, the Moroun-operated Crown Enterprises bought the approximately 450,000-square-foot complex thats south of 8 Mile Road and just east of Van Dyke Avenue for $6.7 million in October this year. Crains Detroit Business spoke with Michael Samhat, president of Crown Enterprises, who said only that it would be repurposed.Kirk Pinho, writing for Crains, speculated that it would be demolished. The shopping center is less than 50 percent occupied and many tenants are looking to get out of their leases. Bel Air Luxury Cinema, however, told Crains it still has 15 years left on its lease and no plans to close.