City of Dearborn Seeks Final Input on Train Station District Design

The City of Dearborn is inviting residents to give their final input on ideas for the district surrounding the new Intermodal Passenger Rail Station.

Public sessions were held in January to allow stakeholders to review different concepts for Transit-Oriented Development, which seeks to capitalize on the new train station’s ability to draw more visitors, businesses and residents to Dearborn’s west downtown. 

Through a grant awarded the city from MIPlace Partnership, planners from Michigan State University and experts from the Michigan Municipal League and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority are assisting city staff and stakeholders with creating a vision for the neighborhoods, parkland and business area near the train station.

The train station is scheduled to open by early 2014. Through this visioning process, steps can be taken over the next year to set in place future development to accommodate elements determined important by Dearborn stakeholders, such as bike paths and fresh housing opportunities.

Residents, business owners and other Dearborn stakeholders are encouraged to continue to review the concepts presented and send their thoughts to City Planner Liz Hendley at ehendley@ci.dearborn.mi.us by Feb. 15.

“Your ideas can help the city plan for future development that will create a unique sense of place in the residential neighborhoods, business district and parkland near the train station,” the city announced in a statement encouraging participation.

An overview of the plan

The entire TOD Neighborhood Visioning Plan can be viewed and downloaded from this page on Dearborn Patch, or from the City of Dearborn website.

Here’s a look at some of the ideas presented:

Key design elements emerging from the study found that the TOD neighborhood should include:

• Green space, including increased use for bicycling and walking, as well as visual greening
• Respect for history and heritage, but also innovation
• Art and beautification
• Year-round use of space

Participants in the January forums were asked to choose between two varying concepts, as well as evaluate different images for what the west Dearborn district might include.

Concept A

• Move car dealerships on Michigan Avenue
• Incorporate “complete streets” on Michigan Avenue
• Revitalize West Village/Newman Street
• Create “interpretive nature path” around pond just south of train tracks

Concept B

• Landscaping on Michigan Avenue
• High-density development near the train station
• Modification of car dealerships
• Full pedestrian access on Newman Street
• Create “entertainment district” near pond

Questions to consider

1. What are your thoughts about each of the concepts?
2. Do you have a preferred concept?
3. What elements do you like?
4. What elements are missing?