Ford Making Progress On Campus Transformation

DEARBORN, MI — The Ford Motor Company’s transformation of its Dearborn campus is a long-term project with the idea of attracting and retaining workers. That was the message from Ford and Dearborn officials Monday at an update on the project held at Henry Ford College.

Thus far, Ford has broken ground on Wagner Place in West Dearborn and leased more than 200,000 square feet of Fairlane Town Center. The company plans extensive renovations at its World Headquarters, will rework its researching and engineering campus and build a new Ford Motor Credit building over the next decade, according to a Detroit News report.

As for the city, Mayor John B. O’Reilly said it’s working to attract investors to build housing. “We’re conscious if we’re trying to recruit people, we also have to have places for them to live,” O’Reilly told the newspaper.

Ford broke ground on Wagner Place in May, Patch reported. The $60 million investment ushers in a new era for Dearborn that will provide Ford employees and residents with new retail and restaurant options, complemented by generous amounts of green space, outdoor seating and enhanced walkability. Ford is transforming about two blocks of largely vacant buildings into this unique mixed-use urban space on the city's west side.

The 150,000-square-foot development will be certified for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and will be resource-efficient with water and energy conservation features. Wagner Place will have first-floor retail and restaurants, two floors of work space and a rooftop patio. Approximately 600 Ford global data insights and analytics (GDIA) employees will occupy Wagner Place.

"Developing an urban office environment positions Ford to offer a work setting that will appeal to a new generation of employees," Dave Dubensky, Ford Land chairman and CEO. "Wagner Place supports our goals to create a more collaborative and inviting campus atmosphere for all employees."

Wagner Place is scheduled for a late 2018 opening.

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