Trustees Approve Market Study for Canton Corridors

The Canton Township Board of Trustees approved a contract at its meeting Tuesday night with planning firm OHM Advisors to do a market study in Canton for $54,500. 

"We haven't had a good market study in Canton ever I think," said Canton Township Treasurer Melissa McLaughlin. 

Kristen Thomas, Canton Township's economic development and marketing analyst, said the plan started with a look only at Ford Road and was later expanded to include Michigan Avenue and Cherry Hill Village.

"There's a lot of opportunity for development in the township, not just on Ford Road," she said.

She said they plan to take the results of the study to the annual International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) convention in Las Vegas in May.

"This study will show developers what our market can support," Thomas said.

The convention has more than 30,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors and is the largest industry convention, according to the ICSC website. Attendees meet with retailers and developers to discuss new or existing leases and businesses. Trustee Pat Williams said the interest for IKEA in Canton came from an ICSC convention.

"The development scenario of Ford Road is exceptionally different from Michigan Avenue and Cherry Hill Village," McLaughlin said.

Ford Road may not be the best place for boutiques, but that's where Cherry Hill Village becomes an option, she said. Thomas agreed and said Cherry Hill Village has the potential to be a great walkable area.