Phase one of Inkster Market Place development is a 'slam dunk'

Phase one of Inkster Market Place development is a ‘slam dunk’

On December 7, officials from the city of Inkster, Wayne County and the state of Michigan unveiled the first building of a new, $25-million Inkster Market Place development. The Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) will move into the 32,100-square-foot building on Michigan Avenue near John Daly in early January.

Officials from the city of Inkster, Wayne County and the state of Michigan unveiled

Dec. 7 the first building of a new, $25-million Inkster Market Place development.

The Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) will move into the 32,100-square-

foot building on Michigan Avenue near John Daly in early January.

“This is a slam dunk for the city of Inkster,” said Mayor Hilliard Hampton.

Included in the planned Inkster Market Place development is a 6,700-square-foot retail center and a 12,600-square-foot YWCA, both slated to open next year. In 2012, the Inkster Justice Center will open, including a new police station and 22nd District Court.

Wayne County’s Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) contributed $850,000

in Neighborhood Stabilization Funds for the new DHS building.

“In these tough economic times, it’s critical that government and the private sector

partner and work together,” said Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano. “This new

development will add to the quality of life for people in the area.”

State officials said the new DHS building will become a model for future DHS buildings

around the state.

Thirty-thousand vehicles per day drive along Michigan Avenue through Inkster. It’s the biggest part of Inkster’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) footprint, the center of the city’s commercial and retail activity, and the city’s focus for the future.

The DHS building will retain 80 positions and create 49 new jobs. The retail center,

when completed, is expected to create 20 new jobs. It’s estimated that the completed development will bring some 2,000 people on a weekly basis to the city of Inkster.

“This is more than brick-and-mortar, steel and glass,” said Wayne County Commissioner Joan Gebhardt (D-Livonia). “This represents growth and hope for the city of Inkster.”

Pat Dostine is deputy press secretary for the Wayne County Executive and a frequent

contributor to the EDGE newsletter.

Photos by James Wallace of the Wayne County Communications Team.

Phase one of Inkster Market Place development is a ‘slam dunk’

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