Applebee’s Interested in Lakewood Location … Again

The developers for the restaurant chain Applebee’s are interested in coming to Lakewood.

Again. 

The Kansas City-based chain first showed interest in the -owned property at 12060 Detroit Avenue in 2008. 

The city’s architectural board of review approved construction plans.

Then the economy tanked and the deal fell apart.

The restaurant is interested in the property again, according to city officials. 

Dru Siley, the city’s director of planning and development, said that Applebee’s officials have reached out to the city, but no official plans have been submitted.

"It's still in the early stages," he said. "We're meeting with Forest City next week to talk about what seems to be Applebee's renewed interest in Lakewood."

Siley said he’s hopeful that the proposal includes more development plans — in addition to the restaurant. 

"If Applebee's is the only thing happening, I am concerned," he said. "If it's part of a larger development strategy, which I think it is, then that's going to be good news for the east end of Detroit."

The  proposal for a 40-unit, four story condominium complex on the opposite side of Detroit Avenue were approved by the city last summer.

Those plans called for loft-style condos on the large tract of land on the south side of Detroit, between Hopkins and Winchester avenues.

However, no construction timetable was set and the lot is still vacant.