Jun 07, 2018
Van Buren Township is booming in terms of economic development. And that comes as no surprise to Susan Ireland, Executive Director of the Downtown Development Authority for Van Buren Township. “We have taken a very strategic approach to development in our community,” explains Ireland. “And now we find ourselves in a position to capitalize on the many opportunities that are coming our way. It is a very exciting time for us.”
The hard work of the economic development team at Van Buren Township and a close partnership with the Detroit Region Aerotropolis are the secrets to success for this thriving community. Van Buren Township was founded in 1835, and it is named after the eighth President of the United States, Martin Van Buren. It encompasses nearly 36 square miles with its main business district located on Belleville Road. With a population of over 28,000 residents, Van Buren Township combines small-town charm with modern-day amenities.
Accessibility is one of the greatest assets that draws businesses to locate in the community. “Van Buren Township is accessible to highway, rail, and air transportation,” explains Ireland. “We have I-94 running from east to west and I-275 running from north to south. We also have two major rail lines. Willow Run Airport is located right here within our township, and we are only a seven-minute drive from Detroit Metro Airport.”
In addition to accessibility, Van Buren Township offers an excellent quality of life for residents making it a highly desirable place to work and live. “We have a little bit of everything in our community,” says Ron Akers, Director of Planning and Economic Development for Van Buren Township. “Belleville Lake is a 1,270-acre lake with a number of lakefront residential developments. We also have more traditional subdivisions, as well as apartments and condos, for people who want that lifestyle.”
Southeast Michigan is making a comeback, and Van Buren Township is a part of the growth in the Detroit Aerotropolis Region. Akers and his team have been busy supporting a flurry of new projects, including the expansion of Mayser Polymer’s facilities in 2017, which included a new 50,346 square foot manufacturing building and offices. On tap for 2018 is the development of a new 150,000 square foot office space at the Grace Lake Corporate Center. Another large developer, Ashley Capital, is also planning a new industrial development in the township.
Both Akers and Ireland agree that participation in the Detroit Region Aerotropolis has improved communication and information sharing with potential investors and businesses. Like many municipalities, Van Buren Township is often challenged to find sufficient resources to manage its growing workload. The Aerotropolis assists with identifying new commercial properties that come on the market, as well as responding to RFIs and generating leads.
The specialized regional focus and exclusive membership means that participating communities receive personalized attention from the Detroit Aerotropolis staff. “We have direct contact with them on a regular basis,” says Akers. “The Aerotropolis also helps with marketing. They are able to provide broad exposure for our region, both nationally and internationally. That exposure creates a lot of opportunities. They are bringing attention to our region making it a national brand.”
With projects in the works for industrial, commercial and residential development, Van Buren Township is poised for continued growth in the coming years. “I see a lot of positives in the future related to our business area downtown,” says Ireland. “As more people are attracted to the area, we will be able to stimulate development in a very deliberate way.”
Ireland is also looking forward to the construction of a pedestrian access bridge that will connect both sides of Van Buren Township’s Downtown Development District, making the community more walkable and bikeable for residents. The township is partnering with MDOT on the project that will widen the bridge over I-94 to facilitate construction of a non-motorized path along the east side of Belleville Road. The project is scheduled to begin in July.
Meanwhile, Akers and his team have multiple projects in the works. “The next couple of years are going to be very interesting,” says Akers. “I believe that the Detroit Region Aerotropolis will be one of the more competitive areas for economic development in the Midwest. We are always a contender in these large national bids. You can never count us out.”
Sources:
Interview with Susan Ireland and Ron Akers on 5/23/18
http://vanburendda.com/
http://bellevilleareaindependent.com/mdot-to-take-over-building-of-pedestrian-bridge-over-i-94/
http://vanburen-mi.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/BRD-3-20-18-Minutes.pdf
http://vanburen-mi.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/PC-May-11-2016-Minutes.pdf
http://bellevilleareaindependent.com/vbt-planners-ok-mayser-country-walk-homes-parks-plan/
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20170621/NEWS/170629969/new-150000-sq-ft-office-building-to-be-erected-in-wayne-county
