Dearborn Council OK’s (again) Building Demolition
After years of delays, it finally appears that three vacant buildings in downtown West Dearborn could soon be demolished by year’s end.
The former Brothers Tuxedo building at Michigan and Howard is one of three buildings city council approved to be demolished.
Dearborn City Council on Tuesday night approved (yet again) the demolition of the three biggest eyesores on Michigan Avenue: the Bally Total Fitness (previously a Vic Tanny); Brothers Tuxedo (gutted years ago and rotting since) and the remaining half of the building that was once Guilano’s restaurant.
Regular readers of this site will recall that the removal of these three buildings — all on the north side of Michigan Avenue between Military and Howard streets — were a key part of the Dearborn Village Partners (DVP) corporation’s planned development on Michigan, which at one time included a movie theater and condo/apartment living. In fact, those very plans for the development were submitted to the State of Michigan in order to obtain Brownfield tax credits.
A birdseye view of an early rendering of the DVP project that was once proposed on Michigan between Military and Howard.
With the economy still struggling, it is doubtful the scope and magnitude of the original development will ever see the light of day. The good news, however, is that a new plan for the property must be submitted to both the city and state if DVP still hopes to secure those tax credits.
It isn’t quite clear who will pay for demolition of the three buildings. At one point, it was going to be the city of Dearborn. The city would then hold a lien on the property until it recouped its cleanup costs. It now appears DVP will be paying to have the buildings razed.
September 7th, 2011 at 11:21 am
How did Hakim get back into the picture – thought he and the city were DONE with each other??
September 7th, 2011 at 11:37 am
So those are supposed to be the worst eyesores on Michigan ave? Bet I could find worse.
September 7th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
Who’s going to pay for the demolition?? We all know it will be the taxpayers of Dearborn, who are you kidding? Just what downtown West Dearborn needs, more “green space”, like the recently torn out slabs on the other side of the tracks (guess who paid for those?, 3 guesses, 1st 2 don’t count…right, Dearborn taxpayers!) Why don’t our brilliant City leaders just bulldoze all of West Dearborn and open the land up for bids for 10 years while slapping the burdon on the taxpayers. We build mega-dollar stores along Michigan Ave.
We can become Dollar-Dearborn! Minnesota has the mega mall, we can have dollar stores and bars!
I for one can’t wait for election day to drive these bozo’s out City hall as long as the mindless population who constantly re-elects them does not do it again. It is so sad to see how far how quick downhill Dearborn has slid in the past 5 years.
September 7th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
Hakim got Fat Boy again. Hakim simply toys with the City Administration, because we have elected so many morons, when are we going to learn? Watch who ends up actually owning the properties in question. The current score is Hakim 3 the City of Dearborn O, and the beat goes on.
September 7th, 2011 at 10:03 pm
it would probably cost us less to keep the Snow library open than demolish these building.
September 7th, 2011 at 11:08 pm
Please NO MORE APARTMENTS/CONDOS.
September 7th, 2011 at 11:11 pm
Moving out of Dearborn was the best decision I have made in years. The managed stultification of Dearborn taxpayers by such a selfish (re-election) and incompetent City Council and a Mayor still tied to Guido’s boys has clearly demonstrated that Dearborn is doomed.
September 8th, 2011 at 1:36 pm
What a joke. Since when are projects started without a predetermined obligation of payment. Why are libraries and pools being closed so this bloated Mayor’s office can continue to give tax captures and rebates to every idea that comes down the pike. Hears an idea to our corpulent mayor give a tax rebate so someone will buy my house and I don’t have to deal with this incompetence
September 8th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
I see that Frida Mexican Cuisine has opened on MI Ave. menu looks good with breakfast, lunch and dinner.
September 8th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
I watched the counsel meeting and still could not get the answer as to who was actually paying for the demolition.
Slap Hakim with the fines that any other owner in Dearborn would get and stop the bleeding of the taxpayers.
Hakim really knows how to play the game with a city that doesn’t have the b**** to play back.
You have to wonder who is getting paid off to allow this scheme to continue.
September 11th, 2011 at 11:14 pm
The saddest commentary on HF and his ability to thumb his nose at the collective citizenry is the former Avant Garde store, with its beautiful 2nd story broken window for all West bound Michigan Ave drivers to admire. A professor years ago wrote an essay on allowing that single broken window to exist, and how it gives permission to everyone to ignore all obligations to maintain property. Sadly the mayor can’t seem to learn that old lesson, and just lets it go . . . and we all know that HF won’t lift a finger to push a broom, fix a window or sign a tax check. He defines “loser” and when I drive by his big house, I just get all grrrrrrrr. Go away Hakim.
September 11th, 2011 at 11:14 pm
The saddest commentary on HF and his ability to thumb his nose at the collective citizenry is the former Avant Garde store, with its beautiful 2nd story broken window for all West bound Michigan Ave drivers to admire. A professor years ago wrote an essay on allowing that single broken window to exist, and how it gives permission to everyone to ignore all obligations to maintain property. Sadly the mayor can’t seem to learn that old lesson, and just lets it go . . . and we all know that HF won’t lift a finger to push a broom, fix a window or sign a tax check. He defines “loser” and when I drive by his big house, I just get all grrrrrrrr. Go away Hakim.
September 12th, 2011 at 10:53 pm
Thanks Gordon Ramsey, for your critique.