WYANDOTTE — For the third year in a row, the Jaycees are bringing Santa Claus close to home.

Those who want to get in last-minute gift requests or maybe take a picture with the jolly old elf can find him at 132 Sycamore, inside the Sycamore Plaza, one-half block off Biddle Avenue next to the UPS store, over the next couple of weekends.

Santa was supposed to be there starting Dec. 2, but he previously had made a commitment for personal appearances at the Wyandotte Museum that weekend. Wyandotte Jaycee Richard Cieslowski said a sign was placed in the window directing people to the museum, so it all worked out in the end. Now, Santa is here to stay until just a couple days before Christmas.

Cieslowski and his fellow Jaycees were hard at work over the past several weeks to transform the former Tubby's restaurant into a winter wonderland. For the past two years the indoor Christmas display had been at the old Sawmill store on Biddle Avenue, across from the clock tower, but Cieslowski said the owner is negotiating with a tenant.

He credited Johno Norian of Kara Development with making this year's display possible by offering the building. He also credited the Wyandotte Business Association; the city's departments of Municipal Services, Engineering, and Community Relations; and Hodgenick's Christmas Display Co., for their part in making this happen.

Cieslowski said the idea for a Santa Village came about after Nathon Hartsuff, president of Hodgenick's Christmas Display, approached the Wyandotte Business Association a couple of years ago about doing an outdoor display.

When the Jaycees heard about the offer, they came up with the idea of creating an indoor attraction at one of the downtown area's vacant buildings.

"It takes about a dozen people to construct this display," Cieslowski said. "We just finished up with the haunted house and we had to get started on this."

With the financial assistance of the WBA and numerous local business sponsors, Santa Village has come alive with 26 animated characters and a forest of 40 decorated trees.

One part of the display is filled with more than 100 presents the Jaycees have acquired to be distributed to 25 area families the organization has "adopted" for the holidays. They plan to distribute them a few days before Christmas.

The Jaycees continue to accept donations of lightly worn winter coats and new, unwrapped toys. Those who make donations can earn a chance for $25 Wyandotte business gift certificates.

There is no charge to visit the display, but a Polaroid photograph with Santa costs $4. Those wishing to take their own photograph can do so, but are requested to make a small donation.

Santa Village is open from 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays, 1 to 6 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays now through Dec. 23.