Frequently Asked Questions

We are using conservative estimates with appropriate contingencies. We also retain the potential to scale back the project, as necessary.

A natural stormwater management system will treat water runoff from the property on which city buildings are being constructed. This water will be stored in the pond area, creating a passive recreation area surrounded by dense woods, boardwalks, trails, an observation deck, library programming space for story times, etc.

The current Bennett Library building has a failing roof system; inflexible meeting spaces; cannot accommodate people with disabilities; and cannot meet modern technology demands. The Livonia Library Commission envisions a state-of-the-art facility that meets the needs of everyone, while standing as a jewel at the heart of the community, attracting young families, and bringing events and programs to the adjacent central gathering plaza. Simply repairing the old library does not meet the community's current needs. The new library would also be a much more efficient 50,000-square-foot building, rather than the 70,000-square-foot current building.

The limitations of the current building are significant. Rebuilding in a new location provides the opportunity to keep the current library operating while a new one is being built. It also creates a prime redevelopment opportunity in the City Center at the current library site.

The City Council’s Capital Outlay Committee held at least 15 public meetings focused on the City Center project, with read-outs at many City Council meetings. The project has been discussed numerous times in Livonia’s Connections newsletter (mailed to every residence in Livonia three times a year), news media stories and social media. More than 2,600 unique visits to the Livonia Vision 21 project website and 1,740 responses to the online surveys and in-person meetings. A community survey last year received 3,800 responses, which included 70 percent who wanted a City Center.

This new park/plaza will be approximately 2.5 acres, which is larger than Kellogg Park in Plymouth. It will be a place for people to gather to celebrate culture, art and history, building family traditions. It could feature a fountain, amphitheater, art spaces, play area, splash pad and more. It will be activated by programming through the new Library and Livonia Parks and Recreation.

We are requesting a 25-year payback term.

In the first phases of development, there will not be a parking deck for public use. Surface parking will be created. The Police Department will have a parking structure constructed to improve officer safety and extend vehicle life.

Community input will be part of the final planning for construction of the central gathering plaza.

Replacing completely inefficient buildings will vastly improve our environmental footprint. Additionally, we will create bioswales for storm water infiltration and implement other green improvements such as improved water conservation, a Building Management System, LED lights, etc.

Glad you asked. These two spaces have different daily operating schedules and uses. Creating a large, flexible meeting room and other spaces that both the Library and City Hall will use saves on square footage. Additionally, a connected building reduces the amount and cost of materials for exterior construction walls.

Housing in Livonia remains a hot commodity, based on the high quality of public safety and public services. The final phase of the City Center project – which will be funded by private investment and is not part of the voted Bond Proposal – will be new townhouses, condos and apartments, based on the need identified in market studies developers across the city and the demand of young adults and empty nesters.

The Great Recession of 2008 led to the City greatly reducing the amount of capital investment in buildings, as a way to continue to deliver services in the midst of declining revenue. That reduction lasted several years and left an impact on many older municipal buildings. Rather than kicking that can further down the road, we hired a consultant to conduct a facility needs assessment that identified $97 million in needs. That cost escalates every year. The Administration is reorganizing its Finance Department and DPW teams to better prioritize and focus on facility needs.

No. The City Council approved issuing bonds to pay the estimated $40-45 million cost of a new City Hall. That bond will be paid from reduced spending of $2.4 million a year, realized by moving retirees to Medicare Advantage plan which also improved services for those retirees.

The City has other options available to address health care costs.