Transforming Livonia’s Civic Center campus into a vibrant downtown isn’t happening overnight. The city has mapped out a careful, phased approach designed to keep vital services running while unlocking new opportunities for the community. Here’s a closer look at each phase:

Phase 1: Relocating the Senior Center

The first step in the transformation involves moving the Livonia Senior Center from its current location at 15218 Farmington Road to a brand-new facility within the Jack E. Kirksey Livonia Community Recreation Center. This $28 million project is already underway, backed by a mix of state, federal, and county funding. By relocating the senior center, the city begins freeing up valuable land at the heart of the planned downtown, while ensuring seniors benefit from upgraded amenities and greater connectivity to other community services.

Phase 2: Clearing Key Municipal Buildings

Next, the city will focus on clearing underused and outdated municipal buildings. This includes demolishing a vacant courthouse, city-owned Sam’s Place Family Restaurant, the current senior center, and city hall. This phase will open up more than 9 acres of prime real estate, setting the stage for the new downtown vision. In tandem, a new city hall will be constructed near the recently built Livonia courthouse at 32765 Five Mile Road. This move, funded through a $45 million bond, is expected to be completed by 2026 and ensures city government remains accessible while the central campus is reimagined.

Phase 3: Rebuilding Public Safety Facilities

After city hall is relocated, attention turns to public safety. The police station will be rebuilt closer to the courthouse, improving operational efficiency since much of law enforcement’s daily activity centers around court proceedings. Similarly, fire station renovations or relocations are planned to ensure emergency services keep pace with Livonia’s future needs. While previous phases were funded without directly raising taxes, this phase will require community investment so residents will have a say through an upcoming ballot measure. This approach guarantees public input on vital city infrastructure.

Phase 4: Opening the Space for Mixed-Use Development

By 2028, with city services successfully relocated, the heart of Livonia will be ready for its boldest transformation yet. The newly available 27-acre site will be opened for redevelopment as a mixed-use downtown. The city will actively seek private development partners through requests for proposals (RFPs and RFQs), aiming to attract high-quality projects that match Livonia’s vision. Plans call for a lively mix of housing, retail, restaurants, parks, and public gathering spaces. A pedestrian-friendly district designed for community life, business, and entertainment. This phase is where Livonia’s dreams of a true downtown will begin to take physical shape, inviting residents and businesses to help build the next chapter together.

This strategic, phased approach allows Livonia to modernize its civic infrastructure, minimize disruption, and maximize the long-term benefits of a cohesive, connected downtown. Each phase lays the groundwork for the next, ensuring momentum and community engagement every step of the way (The Perna Team).

The planned Downtown Livonia isn’t just about new buildings. It’s about creating a thriving, people-focused destination that brings neighbors together and draws new residents and businesses. Here’s what the new city center will offer, and why each piece is essential for a vibrant community:

Diverse Housing for All Stages of Life

Downtown Livonia will feature a mix of townhouses, condominiums, and apartments, thoughtfully designed to meet different needs and lifestyles. This diversity is crucial because it allows young professionals, growing families, and downsizing seniors to all find a home in the heart of the city. When people of all ages and backgrounds live side by side, it strengthens community bonds and ensures a dynamic, welcoming atmosphere. Plus, providing modern housing options helps retain local talent and attract newcomers – an often overlooked key for Livonia’s long-term growth and vitality.

Retail, Dining, and Entertainment

Plans call for a vibrant streetscape filled with restaurants, cafés, boutique shops, and entertainment venues. These amenities do more than just serve residents, they create a sense of place and belonging. Local businesses become gathering spots where friendships form, ideas are exchanged, and culture takes root. A strong mix of retail and dining also draws visitors from outside the city, boosting the local economy and keeping downtown lively both day and night.

Walkability and Green Spaces

Wide sidewalks, dedicated bike lanes, and public parks will make Downtown Livonia truly accessible, whether you’re walking, cycling, or just enjoying the outdoors. Walkable cities naturally foster more interaction among neighbors, reduce car dependence, and promote healthy, active lifestyles. Green spaces and parks offer room for recreation, relaxation, and community events, all of which are vital for mental well-being and social cohesion. They also make downtown more attractive and environmentally sustainable.

Public Gathering Spaces

Central plazas, outdoor seating, and performance areas are planned as focal points for events, festivals, and everyday interactions. These shared spaces are the heart of any vibrant community. They encourage spontaneous meetups, community celebrations, and cultural programming. When residents have inviting places to gather, a sense of community pride and belonging naturally follows. Public spaces also provide a stage for local artists, musicians, and markets, enriching the city’s cultural life.

A Place for Everyone

By blending housing, business, recreation, and public amenities, Downtown Livonia aims to be truly inclusive, a place where every resident can find something to love. This mix is what separates a downtown from a typical shopping center or housing development. It encourages people to linger, connect, and participate in civic life, making the city center the beating heart of Livonia.

Why These Elements Matter

Each of these features contributes to a downtown that is more than the sum of its parts. Together, they:

• Foster a stronger sense of identity and pride in the community
• Support local businesses and create new jobs
• Encourage healthy, sustainable living
• Build bridges across generations and backgrounds
• Make Livonia an attractive place to live, work, and visit

In short, Downtown Livonia is being designed not just as a place to pass through, but as a place to come home to, a true center of community life for decades to come.

The creation of a Downtown Livonia is about more than new buildings or city infrastructure. It’s a bold investment in the city’s social fabric, economic future, and sense of identity. The impact will be felt across every aspect of local life:

Creating a Stronger Community Identity

For decades, Livonia has lacked a true central gathering place. The new downtown will serve as the city’s living room, a place where traditions are forged, memories are made, and the community’s character comes to life. Festivals, holiday events, farmers markets, and everyday outings will finally have a home base, helping to create a shared identity and sense of civic pride. Residents will have more reasons to stay, participate, and grow their roots in Livonia.

Driving Economic Growth and Opportunity

A vibrant downtown acts as an economic engine. New restaurants, retail shops, and entertainment venues will generate jobs and give local entrepreneurs a place to launch and thrive. Increased foot traffic will spark further business investment, while mixed-use developments can attract employers eager for a lively, accessible environment for their workforce. According to urban development experts, well-designed city centers often generate three to four times the economic activity of traditional suburban shopping centers (The Perna Team). This growth can boost property values citywide, expanding the local tax base and funding future improvements.

Enhancing Housing Choice and Livability

By offering apartments, condos, and townhomes alongside traditional houses, Downtown Livonia will create housing options for all life stages and budgets. This inclusivity helps young professionals find their first home, allows families to upgrade without leaving the city, and gives older residents a chance to downsize while staying close to friends and family. A diverse downtown neighborhood also supports local businesses and schools by keeping more residents engaged in city life.

Improving Social Connections and Well-Being

Cities with vibrant downtowns consistently report higher levels of resident satisfaction. Walkable streets, parks, and plazas encourage people to get outside, meet their neighbors, and build relationships. These social connections are linked to lower rates of loneliness, greater community resilience, and improved mental and physical health. Livonia’s new downtown will offer countless opportunities for casual meet-ups, organized activities, and cultural experiences that enrich daily living.

Building for Future Generations

Perhaps most importantly, Downtown Livonia represents a long-term investment in the city’s future. As work and lifestyle trends shift, communities with strong, inclusive downtowns’ are better positioned to attract and retain talent, draw in young families, and keep older generations connected. Livonia’s plan is about creating a legacy – a place where today’s children will want to return as adults, and where newcomers will feel instantly at home.

A Magnet for Regional Visitors and Businesses

A lively, attractive downtown doesn’t just benefit residents. It puts Livonia on the map for visitors, companies seeking new locations, and families considering a move to Metro Detroit. A central city center can become a destination for arts, dining, and events, helping to market Livonia as a forward-thinking, people-first city.

In Summary

The ripple effects of Downtown Livonia will extend far beyond its 27 acres. It will foster pride, belonging, and economic vitality, giving Livonia the kind of central heartbeat that great cities are built around. This is more than a construction project; it’s a chance to shape the city’s story for generations to come.

Challenges and the Path Ahead

Turning Livonia’s downtown vision into reality is an ambitious challenge, one that comes with both logistical hurdles and honest debate about how to pay for it. As city leaders move forward, the project’s path is shaped as much by community voices as by blueprints and budgets.

Public Concerns: Taxes and Affordability

A major concern for many residents is the proposed $150 million bond, which would be repaid over 25 years through a property tax increase. Some residents fear this will make it harder for young families to afford Livonia, or add to the cost burden for homeowners. There’s frustration that while the downtown vision is vibrant and exciting, the bond focuses on funding municipal buildings – like police and fire stations and a new library – rather than the retail, housing, and public gathering spaces that many associate with a true downtown. As one resident commented, “Taxes on these high-priced houses will cost a lot more money for these young families. Young people can’t afford Livonia anymore” (Facebook; Reddit).

There are also concerns that essential services like public safety are being tied to the redevelopment, pressuring residents to support the bond even if they’re uneasy about its scope (fakedowntown.com). Some feel the city should separate out public safety and library funding so voters can weigh these needs independently (Reddit). These are legitimate concerns that voters will have to weigh carefully.

Counterpoints: Transparency, Investment, and Community Choice

City leaders have responded with several key points:

• Community Choice: The proposed bond will go to a public vote, giving residents the final say (Livonia.gov). City Council has emphasized that this process is about transparency and community empowerment, not a top-down mandate.
• Focused Public Funding: Early phases of the downtown project, including the new Senior Center and city hall, have been funded through state, federal, county, and bond sources, without direct tax increases for residents (Crain’s Detroit). The proposed property tax increase is specifically for public safety and library upgrades, which are considered foundational for both daily life and future economic growth (LivoniaBuilt.org).
• Long-Term Value: City officials and planners argue that modern, efficient municipal buildings will save money on maintenance and operations long-term, and that a vibrant downtown, once built, will boost property values, attract new businesses, and generate more local revenue (The Perna Team).
• Development Funding: The city expects to pursue additional funding methods, such as Brownfield Redevelopment, TIFA (Tax Increment Financing), and public-private partnerships, to develop the mixed-use elements and public spaces that make downtown truly vibrant (Facebook).

The Road Ahead: Listening, Adapting, and Building Together

Livonia’s leadership acknowledges the need for clear communication, careful stewardship of public funds, and ongoing engagement with residents. The city plans to provide detailed information on how tax dollars would be used, what the bond covers, and how downtown development will be phased to minimize disruption and maximize community benefit (Livonia.gov).

Ultimately, the path forward depends on a shared vision and willingness to invest in Livonia’s future. The debate itself is a sign of healthy civic life. It’s a result of a community that cares deeply about its identity, affordability, and potential. With continued transparency, resident input, and creative public-private partnerships, Livonia can navigate these challenges and build a downtown that reflects the city’s values and dreams.

Why We Believe in Downtown Livonia

At 5MileAndFarmington.com, we see more than just an ambitious building project. We see a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Livonia to come together and shape its future. A real Downtown Livonia isn’t just about new shops or apartments; it’s about creating a place where neighbors become friends, where small businesses can thrive, and where our kids will want to stay (or come back to) when they grow up.

We know there are concerns, especially around cost and change. That’s natural for any big idea. But the benefits – a stronger sense of community, more local jobs, new options for living, and a true gathering place for everyone – are simply too important to pass up. The cities we envy, the ones with energy and charm, all have a heart. Livonia deserves one too.

Let’s not settle for being just another suburb. Let’s build something lasting, something that will make us proud not just tomorrow, but for generations. We’re all in on Downtown Livonia, and we hope you’ll join us in making this dream a reality. We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your opinion about Downtown Livonia in the comments below!