Livonia’s Civic Center Campus to Get a Fresh New Look
In the coming seven to ten years, the Civic Center campus in Livonia, located at the intersection of Five Mile and Farmington roads, is set to experience a drastic transformation. The 27-acre space is a major focus in the city’s 2021 master plan. The ultimate aim is to revamp the location into a bustling downtown area.
Before this dream can come to fruition, however, a few crucial steps must be undertaken. Many of the city facilities, such as the Livonia Senior Center, the city hall, an outdated courthouse, and the police department need to be torn down and relocated. Plans are already in place to initiate the shifting of the city hall within the next year.
“Through this redesign, we hope to create a downtown that meets the expectations of Livonia’s residents,” said the city’s Mayor.
A New Chapter for Civic Center Campus
The aim is to construct a vibrant “downtown Livonia” without burdening the citizens with raised taxes. On July 15, the city council members gave a unanimous nod for the issuance of a bond worth $42 million to finance the construction of a new city hall. It is hoped that the actual expenditure will be well below this sum. The city also plans to utilize approximately $2.4 million, taken from savings made on retiree healthcare plans, to pay down the bond. This move will ensure that the taxes remain unchanged.
With the moving of the senior center and the beginning of the relocation of the city hall next year, around 10 acres of space will be carved out at Five Mile and Farmington for residential and commercial developments.
Plans are to keep the city hall and the police department at the Civic Center, possibly bringing them close to the Civic Center Library. The main fire department on the campus and the four other branches throughout the city will be modernized and remain in their current locations.
The Vision for a New City Hall
The new city hall is envisioned to be smaller and more accessible than the existing one, which was built in the late ’70s. A modern structure will also prioritize security features. The city’s Mayor stressed the need for a more flexible design, unlike the rigid structures like the current auditoriums that limit the building’s functions. The goal is a more “multi-functional space.”
Apart from the potential economic benefits derived from the construction of a downtown area, a new city hall will offer a more reliable set up for the working city staff. According to an assessment done last year, the current city hall is in dire need of functional improvements and repairs worth almost $30 million over the next nine years. A new building will be a cost-efficient solution.
