DEARBORN- West downtown Dearborn is flourishing with energy
and might be ready for a graceful return.

New restaurants and breweries have started occupying some of
the emptiness that lines Michigan Avenue. Projects for new apartments designed
for young professionals are on the rise as well as a five-story Hampton Inn.

“Within a year or two we’ll have a good mix of bars and
restaurants that’s really going to create a destination spot,” Sam Abbas, who
opened Brome Burgers and Shakes not too long ago, said.

However, Ford’s spring purchase of approximately two
downtown blocks is the area’s main development.

Development sources say that Ford Land Development Co. want
to tear down and replace the many vacant two-story buildings with new retail
and office buildings that could be filled with 600 to 650 Ford employees.

The arrangement of residencies, offices, restaurants, and
breweries could give Downtown Dearborn a chance to prosper like downtowns in
Royal Oak and Ferndale.

“Downtown Dearborn is going to be that next downtown that
everybody is talking about,” Cristina Sheppard-Decius, executive director of
the West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority, said.

The renovation process might start in October, according to
a source who has seen the developmental proposals.

Ford will preserve the Old Wagner Hotel at the Corner of
Michigan and Monroe and its history, but may add four new floors to the
building, according to Sheppard-Decius.

“We want it to be used in a very modern way, but we’re very
interested in historic preservation,” Donna Inch, Ford Land’s Chairman and CEO,
said.