Features

Wixom is creating city life in its suburban backyard to attract potential residents who may eye homes elsewhere.

In an area along Pontiac Trail, there is a cluster of townhouses, condos and a commercial building.

The structures are stacked in two and three stories, with parking on the streets behind them.

This is Wixom's answer to luring people downtown and reducing a half century of sprawl in southeastern Michigan.

"It's locating density in an attractive place where people want to live," said Jim Clarke, president of Robertson Brothers in Bloomfield Hills, which has worked on the first phase of a $210-million project with developer Larry Cohen. The second phase of development is set to kick off this year.

Like Wixom officials, other planners said limitations should be set for the sprawl, which spreads financial resources from the epicenter of Detroit into the northern reaches of Oakland and Macomb counties. But others like big-box retailers, and builders are reluctant to create boundaries, saying allowing growth to flourish is good for the economy.

From 2000 to early last summer, about 85,000 people moved into the 16 fastest-growing communities in northern Oakland and Macomb counties. There, people are finding more affordable, larger properties that fit their lifestyles.

The MTA is a true alliance in that its members are dedicated to stopping the state from increasing taxes from any segment of Michigan citizens, even those that government sees as an 'easy mark' due to their relative unpopularity; i.e. smokers, alcohol drinkers, "big business", small business, gamblers, "bad drivers", "the wealthy", farmers, or any other taxpayer regardless of their political vulnerability.

The MTA is a federally registered 501(c)4 organization dedicated to taxpayer education and advocacy for reduced state spending and a reduced overall tax burden.

When it comes to available, vacant land zoned for residential projects, Wixom has 1,394.5 acres ready for development, according to the city Assessor's Office; and 74 acres are available for new commercial use, along with 446 acres for new industrial developments.
Of the parcels available for development, they tend to be larger parcels that would in turn accommodate larger buildings.
Two large residential developments have already been approved this year.
"We have a few that have already been approved," Building Inspector John Lipchick said. "One is 26 houses and the other is 23 houses."
Also, there are large parcels that have been reviewed for commercial an industrial development. Three of those projects involve lots between 20 to 50 acres.
"We have about eight light industrial buildings being built," Lipchick said. "Within the next few months I have 11 more getting started."
Those projects entail the building of a strip mall, a T & C Credit Union, a gas station, a pizzeria, and a Dairy Queen, among others.
Additionally, two 12-unit residential buildings are being built in the city's Village Center Area, just north of Pontiac Trail and east of Wixom Road.
However, as it stands right now, no new building permits have been pulled in 2007. City officials report 157 permits for additions, renovations, and other minor projects have been issued this year, bringing in roughly $36,000 in permit and building fee revenue.
"Residential (permit fee revenue) is down," Lipchik said, though he said he remains optimistic about the overall picture when it comes to commercial developments.

"I'm always talking with developers," he said. "We're doing fine."

Oakland County town prepares to go on without the employer that gave it life a half-century ago - 05/17/07 - Read Story

The "Grand Opening" of the the new Downtown Wixom took place on Friday July 21, 2006 and the display was impressive indeed. Many Wixom businesses and community organizations were present and did a wonderful job showing off our new community center of attraction. Great food and music added much to the festive atmosphere and the crowds seemed pleased and impressed with the display. Congratulations to our elected officials, city management and all who worked so hard on making this New Downtown a reality.

Yes, Wixom has downtown
Banners hung from new shops, new fountains sprayed beside the library and a Sinatra soundalike crooned to a horde of people jamming downtown Wixom. Wait. You didn't think Wixom had a downtown? Look again.
Originally published in CFP WestOakland on 07/30/06.

A bill co-sponsored by Sen. Nancy Cassis was signed into law Tuesday that will allow Wixom to deem either a portion or all of the Wixom Ford Plant property a Renaissance Zone. The designation of Public Act 116 help give local officials the chance to offer tax breaks in order to help attract future redevelopment of the site 318-acre assembly plant.

If the Ford plant is closed, the impact on Wixom wouldn't be as large as one might assume. Dornan said the plant represents only 2.49 percent of Wixom's industrial base. And, the plant makes up only 4.29 percent of the total industrial real property in Wixom.

A decade ago, about half of the city's tax base was tied to the Ford plant. That figure has fallen to 12%, said Wixom City Manager Mike Dornan.

Dornan and other city leaders plan to meet with Ford to determine what it plans to do with the nearly half-mile-long plant. Dornan said he is confident the property will attract interest because of its proximity to I-96 and location in growing western Oakland County.

"Wixom and Ford Motor Co. should be able to put together a plan that will satisfy our mutual goals," Dornan said.

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson has an optimistic long-term view of Wixom, saying redevelopment of the Ford site - considered prime western Oakland County acreage - is a given.

C Mortgage loan officers are dedicated to providing you professional service throughout the mortgage

The Novi Area has become Detroit Metro's newest hub for nightlife and especially upscale quality live entertainment. Every weekend and now many week nights there are plenty of venues to enjoy quality live musical entertainment rivaling anything Detroit, Royal Oak, Pontiac or Ann Arbor may offer. Additionally. Most of the entertainment establishments also offer fine dining cuisine in an atmosphere which is friendly and safe. Live entertainment will, of course, vary in appeal by age and type featuring Oldies, Blues, Top 40, Jazz and good Old Fashioned Rock & Roll. Don't forget about Wixom, Walled Lake , Commerce Twp and Milford. I've listed just a few places below. Some appear in our business directory.

WIXOM REVIVAL: Downtown's Look

$200-million housing, retail development to be centerpiece of Wixom

Click HERE for the full story from the City of Wixom Web Site