Chamber sees ‘great opportunity’ in supporting Livonia facilities millage

Voters to decide on proposal Aug. 5

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dan West, President, Livonia-Westland Chamber
(734) 427.2122 / dwest@livoniawestland.org

(May 23, 2025) – The Livonia-Westland Chamber of Commerce anticipates new business and workforce talent coming to Livonia among the reasons to support the Livonia Municipal Facilities Proposal that goes to city voters on August 5.

The Board for the nonpartisan, nonprofit trade organization voted unanimously at its May meeting to support the proposal. The Livonia-Westland Chamber represents more than 1,200 members engaged in the business community for Michigan’s eighth and ninth largest cities.

The proposal calls for a $150 million bond issue, which would be repaid by a 1.43 mill increase in city taxes for 25 years, to fund construction of a new police department, library, renovations to the city’s fire stations, outdoor recreation enhancements on the Civic Center campus, and to demolish old city buildings. This would open 27 acres of desirable property on the corner of Five Mile and Farmington for a private, mixed-use development.

“We see great opportunity and value for Livonia in this proposal,” said Brandon Grysko, a Livonia resident and attorney who serves as chairperson of the chamber board. “Our board finds the key economic investments and infrastructure improvements in the heart of Livonia to be worthwhile to advance the city now and into the future.”

With separate funds requiring no tax increase, work is underway to construct a new Livonia Senior Wellness Center and groundbreaking is coming soon for a new City Hall. If voters approve, the proposal will finance the construction of a new police department and parking deck, renovations to modernize all fire stations, a state-of-the-art library, a new central park plaza, and outdoor recreational enhancements for biking and walking. When work is complete, several outdated city buildings, some dating back to the early 1960s, would be demolished.

Proceeds from this proposal would not be used toward the private development of the 27-acre site. Preliminary plans call for construction of new restaurants, pubs, retail shopping, and housing. This process to complete the City Center project would take several years.

“We believe this total effort will produce an attractive hub and great first impressions for our city that will attract new residents and businesses while generating new tax base to support other parts of the city,” said Chamber President Dan West.

# # #