COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — Sometime this year, Commerce Township is anticipating a groundbreaking to a downtown that has been talked about since 2002 on the northeast corner of Pontiac Trail and Martin Parkway.
The developers, Robert B. Aikens and Associates, plan to create an entertainment center for families to enjoy which will include restaurants, retail shops, a high-end grocery store and possibly a movie theater.
“We hope that Five & Main will become downtown Commerce,” said Dave Campbell, Planning Director for Commerce Township.
Development in anticipation for this downtown has been happening for years, including two nearby subdivision. The senior living center First & Main opened back in 2017, just north of the planned development. On the northwest corner of Pontiac Trail and Martin Parkway, apartments are being built. The Barrington Apartments are slated to have 300 units with move in dates anticipated in the fall.
“We just want to understand how those phases are going to ultimately fit together for the final project with respect to traffic and circulation, with respect to public infrastructure, with respect to how Five and Main is going to connect to the adjacent properties, the Walmart property in particular,” said Campbell.
DOWNTOWN COMMERCE: The township along with developers for "Five and Main" say a groundbreaking will be happening sometime this year. "Five an Main" is expected to serve as a "downtown" Commerce Township, something that's been talked about since at least 2002 @wxyzdetroit pic.twitter.com/ihqOrRWfAM
— Ali Hoxie (@ali_hoxie) January 8, 2020
Campbell anticipates those meetings taking place sometime in the upcoming months. They hope in those meetings to hear when construction will be complete, and are anticipating a three year build out.
Still no word yet on what tenants will be at Five and Main. Campbell says that is something the developer is still working on securing although the township does have a few ideas, but nothing is being made public yet.