Check Out Dearborn's Latest Master Plan Brainstorm

As Dearborn moves closer to finalizing its new master plan, input was gathered Monday night from the City Plan Commission.

Commissioners were asked to go through the same exercises asked of attendees of –including identifying "appropriate" and "inappropriate" images for Dearborn, as well as marking on maps of the city things they'd like to change or keep.

Responses of commissioners, similar to that of residents, centered largely around changes to business districts, as well as residential areas–but also some recognition of parts of the city that are working well.

Some of those notes included:

• Recognition that the Eastborn neighborhood, located south of Michigan Avenue near , is "well-kept" and has nice homes.
• Suggestion that the facades of the east Dearborn business district along Michigan Avenue be improved.
• Suggestion that parts of the south end be developed into single-family housing, rather than the current multiple-family zoning.
• Suggestion that the apartments in Springwells Park be redeveloped
• Suggestion to rezone the south end business district near Dix and Miller from industrial to business
• Of the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village: "Keep forever"
• Ideas to connect the east and west ends of the city with walkable, bikeable trails
• Suggestion to create subdividisions near Telegraph and Michigan Avenue, as well as near Auto Club Drive
• Idea that there's too much pavement in west Dearborn, which could be repurposed uniquely–possibly into an outdoor market or seasonal skating rink
• Creation of "artist work space" on Gulley Road south of Michigan Avenue, which would include rezoning the area from industrial to business

The next steps for the master plan will be to compiled the results and present them to the city in an effort to draft the plan, followed by more public discussion. It is estimated that the new master plan will be completed by next spring.