DETROIT — Ford Motor Co. is exploring ways to become a major presence in Corktown, including possibly acquiring the Michigan Central Depot, The Detroit News has learned.

A deal to involve Ford in the historic Detroit neighborhood is being negotiated, multiple sources with knowledge of the situation said Monday. But a transaction is not imminent, two sources said.

The automaker has been looking into growing its presence in Corktown since it announced in December it would move its electric- and autonomous-vehicle teams to a renovated building near the old Tiger Stadium site.

The potential move to the long-vacant train station would simultaneously resurrect the most visible symbol of Detroit’s decline, and make the 114-year-old automaker a major player in the city’s rebirth.

Multiple sources told The Detroit News on Monday that the automaker has been negotiating to amass property around the train station, as well as buy the train station itself. Part of that move would be for Ford to either purchase or occupy the abandoned book depository near the train station, one source with knowledge of the negotiations said. An announcement is expected on the deal by May.

Source: Detroit News