Dearborn Homeowners Honored For Their Exceptional Abodes

DEARBORN, MI — Since Susan Butler was a 6-year-old kid back in the 1960s, the home at 4 Byfield Lane in Dearborn has had a special place in her heart. After she inherited it from her grandfather in 1990, she set about updating it.

And her neighbors have taken notice of her hard work. This week, the Dearborn City Beautiful Commission recognized Butler and the owners 15 other houses across the city for their “exceptionally well maintained” homes.

“It’s made me realize what I did was worth it,” Butler said today of the honor. (To stay up to date on local stories, subscribe to the Patch Dearborn newsletter. As news breaks and the story develops, you will be the first to receive updates from Patch.)

She explained she wanted the home, which was built in 1941, to take on the charm of an English cottage. She started her update in 2013, by putting on a new roof. Then came exterior stone and brick work in 2014. In 2015 and 2016 she redid the landscaping in the front, back and side of her house.

Butler, who shares the home with dog Prince Harry, estimated that she has spent between $100,000 and $125,ooo on the improvements. And, if she ever sells the home, she assumes she won’t recoup her investment. “I don’t care,” she said. “I just wanted to do it.”

The City Beautiful Commission organizes the contest each year to encourage residents to update their homes and property. It’s also a way for the city to showcase its many neighborhoods.

In addition to Butler’s home, here are the names and addresses of this year’s other winners:

• Patel family, 7000 Steadman
• Sobh family, at 7441 Reuter
• Makki family, 6440 Oakman
• Lynn Montgomery, 4645 Westland
• Haider family, 15234 Prospect
• Zahr family, 155 Golfcrest Drive
• Wilson family, 22726 Nona
• Knight family, 3453 Chestnut
• Thomas family, 1704 Robindale
• Nelson family, 440 Meridan
• Sherril and Jerry Collins, 23121 Marlboro
• William Schnieders, 22850 Alexandrine
• Glen McCardell, 2943 Queen
• John and Arline Maksimowicz, 3848 Huron Street
• Ralph Platfoot, 23400 New York

Image by the Dearborn City Beautiful Commission