A Point of View from Dearborn Councilman Abraham
Dearborn Councilman Robert Abraham
Dearborn Councilman Robert Abraham says the decision by Dearborn developer Hakim Fakhoury to put the properties held by his Dearborn Village Partners (DVP) corporation up for sale may turn-out to be a “blessing” for Dearborn business owners and entrepreneurs.
The councilman in December went to bat for DVP, penning a column here and in the local papers saying he supported a one-year extension of the preferred developer agreement Dearborn had with Fakhoury’s DVP. Chief among Abraham’s decision to support an extension was that there wasn’t a list of developers banging on Dearborn’s door to rebuild downtown West Dearborn. You can click HERE for that earlier column.
Abraham says it is unfortunate the plan presented by DVP never was able to get off the ground.
“Dearborn Village Partners, LLC has failed to deliver a complete proposal for the development site in West Dearborn to the Council and the Mayor,” said Abraham in a written statement. “The Mayor and the City Council have previously extended the Preferred Developers Agreement several times to accommodate the Developer and the drastic changes to the banking industry and the economic conditions.
“The most recent extension was granted by the Council in December 2009; this would allow DVP an additional year to submit a viable development and financing plan. It is very unfortunate for Dearborn, that the economic circumstances have derailed this project before it ever really began.
“The fact that many of the privately held buildings and properties on Michigan Avenue are now for sale, may turn-out to be a blessing for new Dearborn business owners and entrepreneurs looking for affordable locations in the West Dearborn Business District.
“I remain optimistic as we bring closure to the DVP agreement, that new opportunities can be discovered; let’s hope the glass is half full, and not half empty as so many believe.”
Some of the details to what contributed to the unraveling of the development are in the Sunday edition of the Dearborn Press & Guide. You can read that story and watch a video interview with Mr. Fakhoury by clicking HERE
March 13th, 2010 at 7:01 am
Bobby,
YOU voted to extend this developer just 2 1/2 months ago. Now you are glad the plans have falling through. Better for Dearborn? Pick a side of the fence and stick to it.
March 13th, 2010 at 10:17 am
That’s some of the most disingenuous spin-doctoring I’ve ever seen. Waffles for breakfast, lunch AND dinner???
March 13th, 2010 at 10:41 am
Wanting Better for Dearborn I agree!!!!
Looks like Councilman Abraham is using comedian Gilda Radner’s character line from Saturday Night Live and said, “NEVER MIND.”
Maybe what he meant to say when he said, “let’s hope the glass is half full, and not half empty as so many believe” he meant, let’s hope the glass is REALLY less than half full and REALLY less than half empty as so many believe.
March 13th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Bobby you just proved how you have no spine, you are so wishy washee its absolutely pathetic. First you stand up for Hakim then you change up, same as always for you. Be a man and not a mouse for a change, because Hakim won’t be contributing to your fund in the future.
March 13th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Who is kidding who here? A blessing? I am beginning to wonder if there is a glass at all and if there is, right now it is EMPTY.
March 13th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
Gosh, maybe the Abrahams will be amongst those bidding for Hakim’s properties at fire-sale prices.
March 13th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
For some reason, I got hungry when I was reading the article. Anyone want to meet at the Waffle House? Do we have one in Dearborn? Maybe, one could move into a vacant property. There are plenty around.
March 13th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Well written article by Sean Delaney. It appears that HF is now setting the city up for a lawsuit, to achieve a settlement whereby he avoids the unpaid taxes and other debts, and perhaps prying some of his “earnest money” from Dearborn’s coffers. Isn’t his brother Walid, the attorney?
IF there was a West Dbn development plan that was viable, a much more qualified developer than HF would have done it, or be stepping in to do it. There isn’t, not in these times of “no credit.” Speculators like HF have been stopped in their tracks by the requirement that their schemes actually pay off.
Ironically, Abraham may be right. Allowing for some form of organic – as opposed to “top down” – development (see Warren Ave.) may actually allow for some signficant redevelopment – just not according to some “master plan.”
March 13th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
“The fact that many of the privately held buildings and properties on Michigan Avenue are now for sale, may turn-out to be a blessing for new Dearborn business owners and entrepreneurs looking for affordable locations in the West Dearborn Business District.
LOL…and maybe the wall was actually a blessing for Berlin,and that ice berg was actually a blessing for the Titanic.
March 14th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Bobby,
I am quite saddened by your remarks. I have always shown you, your father, and your whole family lots of respect and love.
When you came to me in dire straits, I helped you. When you had trouble with you tax scandal and attacks from others in the city administration, you came to me and I offered whatever help I could.
I will continue to support you, but I fear you are falling into the same political ugliness as your colleagues on City Council and the administration.
Hakim Fakhoury
March 15th, 2010 at 11:07 am
I am not a huge supporter of Councilman Abraham, but this should be a wake-up call for him and all those who think that Hakim Fakhoury is an ethical partner.
He knows that he is on the way down and he wants to take as many people with him as possible – friend or foe – it doesn’t matter.
March 15th, 2010 at 11:47 am
LOL @ Chloe…a real Waffle House sounds good!
Personally, I’d like to see a brewpub in Dearborn.
March 15th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
…just another sign that its time for a change in Dearborn!
March 15th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Hakim you found out what a front runner Bobby really is — too bad under trying condiitions, but better late than never. Bobby you are truly a spineless individual, and you will find out when the worm turns, to see who your real friends are.
March 16th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Councilman Abraham is “truly a spineless person” but for whatever reason he may be the only council person to have BALLS.
We should all question his Bob’s motives for putting himself out there and trying to explain his actions. I want to hear from the other council people who voted to give Hakim an extension. What are their pathetic excuses? Let’s hear from them.
March 16th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
I know one thing that would improve the area immediately, Mr. Abraham and Mr. Mayor: How about maintaining the parking areas? I made the mistake of going to dinner at one of the restaurants along Michigan Avenue (west of Monroe and I went to get change at the change machine. Of course, it was inoperable. Then I started to feed my meter with the change that I did have; the meter proceeded to take 60 cents from me and then issued a “fail” message. WTF? So, I had to move my car and put more change in another meter. I had to then go into the business and get more change to put in the new meter so it didn’t run out, since the City stole my money. Oh, and I can’t tell you how many times I have had to move my car from lot behind the commandant’s quarters because I pull into a space only to find out that one of those meters is dead. How in the blazes do you people think you are going to attract anyone from neighboring communities when you rip people off? I suppose I could of just left my car in the space since I had paid, but I didn’t want to get a parking ticket, which I probably would have. Either maintain the system, people, or get rid of it.