This first Greyhound terminal took eight months to construct, opening for service on May 4, 1937, at the northwest corner of Washington Boulevard and Grand River Avenue.

The terminal was used by 600 buses every day, operated by Greyhound, Blue Goose, Great Lakes, Eastern Michigan and Red Star Lines.

The new terminal was designed by the Louisville, Kentucky–based firm Arrasmith & Tyler in the mid-century modern style, and included a 600 space parking facility on the roof.

[5] Greyhound began running service from 1000 West Lafayette Blvd on October 4, 1989, while the search continued for a permanent location.

[3] Greyhound was given the option of using the Detroit Amtrak station, which was already planned to be reconstructed as an intermodal facility within a few years.

However, due to the limited space at the station, Greyhound and MDOT resolved to continue use of the bus terminal until the intermodal facility could be completed.

All intercity bus service in the city would move to a 12 berth building at the new location, leading to the closure of the current Greyhound station on Howard Street.