It may be bare ground now, but a new medical center and beautiful apartments for seniors will soon be apparent. Construction has already started on Dearborn Town Center on the former Montgomery Ward site at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Schaefer.

“It’s a great location because it has great public access,” said Dearborn Mayor John O’Reilly Jr., who has fond memories of the old Ward building. “This is where my family shopped, my sisters both worked as clerks here, and I actually worked here as a part-time Santa Claus in high school.”

Mayor O’Reilly along with other officials from the city, Oakwood Healthcare, Midwest Health Clinic and Redico Development joined to take part in the reception and groundbreaking April 29 for the new development, which will offer medical care, retail and eventually senior living.

During these tough economic times, O’Reilly said seeing new development is a good thing for Dearborn.

“We’re bringing working people to the district who are going to be spending money,” he said. “Our local businesses can’t wait for this to happen.”

The new 250,000-square-foot Dearborn Town Center will be completed in three phases. First will be an Oakwood Hospital clinic with an urgent care center, a surgical center and a variety of physicians. When it’s all finished, the new building will also feature shops, doctors offices and 100 senior citizen apartments.

The landmark development is scheduled for completion in 2010.

The Dearborn Town Center is a joint effort by the city of Dearborn, Oakwood Healthcare Inc. of Dearborn, and the Redico Development Co. of Southfield. Redico and Oakwood jointly own the development.