Passenger rail service could return to Michigan Central Station, but the restored depot is unlikely to operate as a full-fledged train station again, officials say.

The big picture: Interest in reviving train services at Michigan Central coincides with federally funded studies for new and improved train options in Detroit and throughout the Midwest.

Flashback: The last train left Michigan Central in 1988, bound for Chicago.

• At its peak in the 1940s, more than 4,000 passengers used the train station daily.

What they're saying: Michigan Central officials have discussed the possibility of bringing back passenger rail, CEO Josh Sirefman said.

• "I don't think there's a circumstance where the building starts to function like it used to as a station in that sense, but we believe the opportunities are real to create passenger rail in the future."

State of play: Detroit's existing Amtrak station in New Center is in limbo.

• MDOT is exploring future locations for a new transit hub offering both train and intercity bus services.

Zoom in: Expanded Amtrak service to Windsor with a stop at Michigan Central (or nearby) is on the table, the Detroit News reported in November.

• "We appreciate the willingness of Ford properties to discuss use of the area outside the building for possible platforms to support a service connecting to Canada," Amtrak spokesperson Marc Magliari wrote to Axios in an email last week. "Discussion of a future service remains an active conversation with parties on both sides of the river."

🥊 Reality check: Talks are in the early stages.

• Cross-border service to Canada could start in late 2027, the News reported, citing an Amtrak conceptual document shared at a Windsor press conference.

The intrigue: Reviving rail at Michigan Central could be integrated into the property.

• "All of the design of our public spaces south of the station takes into account that possibility and can easily be evolved if that were to be the case," Melissa Dittmer, Michigan Central's head of place, said during a recent tour of the renovated train station.

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A local chamber of commerce wants to know: Where should Detroit put an LGBTQ+ business district?

Why it matters: The city, and the region at large, lack a concentrated area providing resources, support, a welcoming environment, businesses and tourism for LGBTQ+ people.

The big picture: Detroit is behind other cities including Chicago and Philadelphia that have already established these safe spaces to socialize and strengthen community.

• Detroit had a bustling queer community in Palmer Park in the 1970s and 1980s, and nowadays Ferndale is seen as a congregating point for some, but inclusive spaces are lacking.

State of play: In an effort to eventually change that, the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce released a survey with Rocket Cos. asking Metro Detroiters questions around what they'd want to see in an LGBTQ+ district — and where, Kevin Heard, the chamber's president, tells Axios.

Between the lines: Rocket Cos. is helping the chamber get the word out about the survey campaign to show its allyship — and as part of its Home Is initiative aimed at supporting LGBTQ+ people in homebuying, KimArie Yowell, the company's chief diversity officer, tells Axios.

Context: This is not a new topic — LGBTQ+ Detroiters have been making their own queer spaces amid a relative lack of designated establishments or neighborhoods for many years.

Reality check: This district, a long-term dream of many, isn't something that could crop up anytime soon, as it involves long-term planning, real estate site selection and a capital campaign.

What's next: The survey closes at the end of July, then the results should be available by late September, Heard says.

Take the 10-minute, anonymous survey online — including allies, not just LGBTQ+ individuals, Heard says.

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🏢 A $23 million housing development opened this week across from Michigan Central. It's offering studio apartments for $1,344 and one-bedroom units for $1,366. (CBS Detroit)

👀 Former President Donald Trump will hold a roundtable discussion at the 180 Church in northwest Detroit Saturday at 4pm amid his push to court Black voters. (Free Press)

💰 Democratic-led proposals moving through the Legislature that would allocate $4.5 billion to economic development and "transformational mobility projects" could be held up by Dylan Wegela, a Garden City Democrat, who calls the plan "corporate welfare." (Detroit News)

Detroit is on the U.S. Postal Service's recent national ranking of cities with the most recorded dog attacks on mail carriers.

The big picture: The city has a serious stray dog problem. Plus, pet dogs getting out of their enclosures has also resulted in attacks.

By the numbers: With 19 such attacks, Detroit tied for 20th place last year. The city with the highest number, Los Angeles, recorded 65 attacks.

• Michigan also ranked in the top 10 states with the most mail carrier dog bites, with 183 last year.

Between the lines: All dogs can bite, even ones that seem friendly, so dog owners have a responsibility to control their pets around letter carriers, USPS wrote in a news release.

• If a carrier doesn't feel safe, they have the right to stop service.

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🗓️ Start planning your days ahead.

Old Crow Medicine Show Live in Ann Arbor at The Michigan Theater on September 13: Every concert by Grand Ole Opry members Old Crow Medicine Show is a barn burner and they're bringing their breakneck tempos and deep respect for American music to the city for a great cause. Every dollar of profit will support The Breakfast at St. Andrew's, which has been feeding people in need every day without fail since 1982.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

Jewish leader Samantha Woll's murder trial began this week, with opening statements taking place yesterday, the Free Press reports.

The intrigue: Michael Jackson-Bolanos is charged with first-degree premeditated murder, as well as home invasion and lying to police in connection with the October 2023 murder.

• News that Woll was stabbed to death outside of her Lafayette Park home sent shockwaves across the city and nation.