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By Jim Kasuba, The News-Herald

WYANDOTTE — The Wyandotte Business Association is once again teaming up with AutoAlliance International Inc., to create an enjoyable atmosphere for those who choose Wyandotte as the place to take in the Cruisin’ Downriver event.

Gregory Gilbert, president of the Wyandotte Business Association, said the organization will gather at the Sav-A-Lot store lot at Grove and Fort Street.

Last year was the first time AutoAlliance joined with the WBA for the cruise.   Gilbert said this year’s event will be more child-friendly than last year’s, and that a “bouncing device” will give kids something to do other than watch cars.

But for adults, there will be plenty of vehicles to take a gander at, including the Mazdas and Fords on display through AutoAlliance and its employees.

Staci Washington of AutoAlliance’s Public Affairs Department, said the Mustang and Mazda 6 will be on display, as well as classic cars owned by employees.

Among the Ford vehicles expected to be displayed are a Taurus NASCAR and Lightning, a V-8 Ranger from Ford’s Special Vehicle Team, which is a high-performance division of Ford Motor Co.

A disc jockey will be spinning ’50s, ’60s and ’70s tunes from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 25, the day of the cruise.

Since its inception six years ago, the city of Wyandotte has played a relatively small role in the event, preferring instead to let the Wyandotte Business Association handle it.

Newly elected Mayor James DeSana said Wyandotte will be represented in this year’s Mayors’ Parade.

He said one reason the event may be lesser heralded in Wyandotte has to do with the fact that the city doesn’t have as much retail along Fort Street as does Southgate.

That is changing, however, as a new Walgreens drug store and a small shopping center opened near the intersection of Fort and Eureka, with more development planned just north of that location near Oak Street.

DeSana said he would like to create a second Downtown Development Authority, one that would encompass Fort Street.

“My whole issue since becoming mayor has been putting out fires,” DeSana said. “I look forward to more positive things I would like to do, like growing a DDA on Fort Street separately.”

DeSana said a Fort Street DDA would capture tax money that could go toward making improvements there could help pay for events such as the cruise.