Published April 20, 2026

On April 14, 2026, Ford Motor Company and Ford Land opened the doors of their Edsel B. Ford Experience Center to the City of Dearborn Economic Development Department for a gathering of contractors, planners, engineers, architects, brokers, and more.

With 100+ attendees, the event’s two panels highlighted projects aimed at sustainable economic growth, increasing housing stock, and transforming city streets on City-led and private-led sites. 

$180 million in investments into Dearborn
City officials announce several projects led by the City and private sector partners throughout all of Dearborn. Private and public investments, including grant funding successfully acquired by the City, amount to some $180 million to fuel diverse projects across the city.

The City is currently “pre-developing” sites with pre-reviewed and approved concept plans that dramatically speed up permitting and approvals. In late 2026 and early 2027, the City will position its sites for a competitive solicitation process to recruit developers and investors for each site. 

Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud stated, “Dearborn is the fastest growing City in Michigan and we are a place where all can come and thrive. We are leveraging every tool and support for projects that serve our community’s needs and enhance quality of life.” 

Housing
The city-sites panel featured leadership from the Economic Development Department and from the firms MKSK, Beckett & Raeder, East Arbor, OHM Advisors, and Progressive Companies who are leading the design and planning work on projects that will add more than 300 new housing units to Dearborn's already competitive housing market on 21+ acres near Carhartt’s world headquarters and the Lonyo neighborhood on Dearborn’s east side near Warren Ave, as well as the redesign and reconstruction of Warren Avenue, and 20+ acres assembled near Michigan Ave and I-94.

Jordan Twardy, the City’s economic development director, noted “Our efforts make the desired outcome clear and reduce approvals through City-funded pre-work to shave months off the process and make development stronger and easier.” 

Private sites
The private site panel featured GAV Associates, a local architecture firm leading work on 600 Town Center Dr, the former Hyatt Regency site, and a mixed-use office building on vacant land at Michigan and Howard, as well as Waza Construction, who is building their second Dearborn project of 111 townhomes. Just Play, is a local small business whose family-friendly destination inspired a local ordinance change to accommodate indoor recreation in more spaces. 

Audience Q&A provided a variety of feedback on City processes and projects. 

Amy Chesterton, Urban Planning Partner at ROSSETTI, stated “Other cities should be doing what Dearborn is doing. Taking the guesswork out of development will change the game in de-risking development and strengthening projects.”

The City also touted its new online BS&A platform as an effort to increase speed on plan review and permits. Find out more at Dearborn.gov/OnlineServices.

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