Area Development
The site of the former Blue Sky Drive-In and Showcase Cinemas on North Opdyke Road in Auburn Hills, Michigan, will be transformed into a new business park. Its first tenant will be a $24 million research and technology center constructed by British-based GKN Driveline and GKN Sinter Metals, a company that manufactures gears and components for the auto industry.

The entire property, previously owned by National Amusement, was purchased in May by Novi-based Amson Dembs Development, Inc, the City of Auburn Hills said.

“Amson Dembs Development is pleased to take a prime site that has sat vacant for so many years and turn it into a high-end business park that will continue to fuel the economic development and growth of Auburn Hills,” said Ryan Dembs, president of Amson Dembs Development. “This is our first development project in the City of Auburn Hills and we look forward to contributing to the energy and vitality of this community.

“This blockbuster project is generating a lot of buzz around town,” said Steven Cohen, director of community development for the city of Auburn Hills. “Our community envisioned a beautifully landscaped high-tech park for that property since the day the theater closed 11 years ago. It’s great to see Amson Dembs Development demolish that vacant building and its ‘sea of parking’. By repurposing the land into a major job center, they’re helping make Auburn Hills’ vision for this site become a reality.”

Development of the approximately 21 plus acre high-tech business park is expected to begin in July and take approximately 10 to 12 months to complete the first phase, according to the City of Auburn Hills.