Photos by Krista Husa

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ALAN ABRAMS
Special to The Jewish News

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t isn't just Israeli auto suppliers
who find themselves in joint
ventures with General Motors.
The Farbman Group, the
Southfield-based commercial real estate
firm of which Burton D. Farbman is
chairman and CEO, is partnered with
the world's largest corporation in the
development of a 1 million-square-foot
industrial park in the former Cadillac
plant on Clark Street.
It is the first major industrial devel-
opment in years within the city of
Detroit. _
By the year 2000 when it is com-
pleted, the project will create 3,000

new jobs, mainly for inner-city resi-
dents.
The $50 million industrial park
will house suppliers to the automo-
bile industry and is in the federal
empowerment zone. The first two
buildings are already under construc-
tion.
"I think it is the most important
development in Detroit," said
Farbman.
The project is the latest reflection
of Farbman's confidence in the rebirth
of Detroit which began with his pur-
chase and restoration of downtown's
historic Wayne County Building.
In 1984, then-Wayne County
Executive Bill Lucas was seeking a way
of saving the 100-year-old building,

which was being used by the 36th
three years and more than $30 million
District Court.
before they were able to finish the pro-
The court was ready for new quar-
ject and lease it back to the county.
ters, and the building was going to be
The building was rededicated in
torn down. Lucas asked the business
October 1987. Farbman recently rene-
community for proposals to redo the
gotiated the lease for another 20 years.
building and lease it back to
"I liked the idea of going
the county.
into Detroit," said
Farb
man just
A racially integrated group,
Farbman, "because they
purc
based the
which included Farbman,
needed everything. They
Bin h am Farms
Henry Wineman and Thorn
needed
office buildings,
0 c e Center.
Apple Valley's Joel Dorfman,
shopping centers, housing,
Henry Dorfman and Lou
industrial facilities."
Glazier, were the successful bidders.
He talked with GM, Henry Ford
But the purchase of the building
Hospital, the Detroit Medical Center,
became a political football after Lucas
Wayne State University, and Alfred A.
switched parties to run as the
Taubman and Max Fisher who owned
Republican candidate for governor.
the Riverfront Towers Apartments.
It took Farbman and his partners
That led to Farbman's firm, then

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1998

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