When you hear the word “downtown,” what images come to mind? Busy sidewalks with people strolling between shops? Restaurants with outdoor seating? Mixed-use buildings with apartments above storefronts? Perhaps a town square or plaza where community events are held?

If these are the elements you associate with a downtown, you’re not alone. These characteristics define authentic downtowns across America—vibrant, walkable districts that serve as the heart of community life and commerce.

Elements of a Real Downtown

A genuine downtown typically includes:

• Mixed-use development combining retail, residential, and office space
• Pedestrian-friendly streetscapes with wide sidewalks and street furniture
• Public gathering spaces like plazas, parks, or squares
• Local businesses including shops, restaurants, and services
• Cultural amenities such as theaters, galleries, or music venues
• Accessible public transit connecting the downtown to other areas
• Historic preservation alongside thoughtful new development

These elements create a sense of place, encourage community interaction, and support economic vitality. They evolve organically over time or through careful urban planning that prioritizes human-scale development and community needs.

The City’s “Downtown” Plan: A Critical Look

Now let’s examine what our city is proposing in its $150 million “downtown” plan, which they’ve rebranded as “LivoniaBuilt” after facing backlash. According to their website, this is just Phase 3 of a four-phase project:

• A new police station: $63.4 million
• A new fire station: $11.8 million
• Another set of fire stations: $7.9 million
• A massive new library: $37.5 million
• Site infrastructure, parking, and demolition: $29.3 million

Notice what’s missing? Virtually all elements that actually constitute a downtown. According to the city’s own website, the actual “downtown” elements—multi-family residential units, retail, and restaurants—are part of Phase 4, scheduled for 2029, and would be entirely funded by private developers, not this millage.

Importantly, these four phases are just part of a broader, more extensive master plan with additional phases, costs, and variables that have not been fully disclosed to the public. The full extent of future tax implications remains unknown.

One Corner of a 36-Square-Mile City

Perhaps most concerning is the location. Livonia spans almost 36 square miles, yet this entire “downtown” investment is concentrated in one corner of our community. The vast majority of residents will need to drive to access these new facilities, which fundamentally contradicts the walkable nature of authentic downtowns.

True downtowns serve as central, accessible hubs for entire communities. By concentrating such massive investment in a single corner while neglecting the rest of our 36-square-mile city, this plan fails to meet even the most basic definition of what constitutes a downtown.

The Bottom Line

If we’re going to invest $150 million of taxpayer money (and potentially much more in future phases), shouldn’t we create something that actually resembles a downtown? Shouldn’t we develop a plan that serves all residents across our entire city rather than concentrating resources in one corner?

A genuine downtown initiative would prioritize creating public spaces where community members can gather, support local businesses, enjoy cultural amenities, and build the kind of vibrant district that enhances quality of life and property values throughout the community.

What we’re being asked to fund isn’t a downtown. It’s a municipal building replacement program with a misleading label. Livonia deserves better—both in planning and in transparency.

Next time: We’ll explore why the city packaged municipal building projects into one massive millage while marketing it as “downtown” development.