NORTHVILLIANS,

It’s that time of the year when we update all our citizens on the “State of the Community.” We are so fortunate that the City, Township and the Northville School system work hand-in-hand on so many activities and initiatives. As an outgrowth of that cooperation, we gather annually to update our citizens on community plans and programs. This luncheon will occur as usual at Schoolcraft College on April 13^th (see detail in text of letter).

Additionally, I will be presenting the City’s State of the Community in a Mayoral town hall this Wednesday night at the Township Hall (call this a sneak preview to the Schoolcraft event) and then again in May at the Library. In today’s letter, I’m going to touch on the highlights of our state of the community.  If you desire more detail, plan on attending one of the upcoming events.

 Before looking at our State of the Community, let’s, see what’s happening in town:

• April 6^th - Turnbull Mayoral Town Hall (7:00 PM), Live (in-person) and also streamed online.  Topic: State of the Community and Q & A. Location - Township Offices (Six Mile & Sheldon). Attend live, or click on the following link: https://smart.newrow.com/#/room/fga-386
   
• April 13^th – Northville Chamber annual State of the Community Luncheon. Speakers include Mary Kay Gallagher (Superintendent Northville Schools), Mark Abbo (Northville Township Supervisor) and me, the Northville Mayor. Click on the box below for more info.                                       
                                         
• Our local monthly Car Shows will start up again (2^nd Saturday of each month May - November) with an informal gathering beginning April 9^th (weather permitting) 8-10 AM.  Meet behind Alexander’s Custom Clothiers 124 W. Main.
  
  Downtown Social District Update
• The future schedule of weekend “music in the streets” concerts will be posted soon.
• The Social District is approved until Nov 1^st, as was recommended by the DDA. The City Council will monitor. Surveys will be out shortly for citizen and business owner input.
  
  Northville Development Update
• Northville Downs Development – (Mixed Use – Apartments, Condos, Homes, Greenspace). Proposed plan will continue to be reviewed by the Planning Commission with open public comment in April. Meeting info available on the city web site. For more information on the Downs site plan, click on www.northvilledowns.info.
• As stated in my last letter, the Foundry Flask Development (80 Apartments) on East Cady has had final approval & is presently going through Brownfield Site Review.
• These two developments could potentially be partners in our Rouge Restoration & Riverwalk initiative, with an opportunity to daylight the river and ultimately connect city, county & State parks.
  
  Covid-19 Confirmed Cases: 
  Northville has had 704 cases/6 fatalities, Township 5794/80, Michigan 2.4M/36K, Nation 80M/983K, Global 492M/6.2M. (CDC.com)

Let's take a peek at highlights from the coming State of the Community address! 

We will talk about “Continuing to Bolster Our Strengths”

• Businesses - Small town Charm- shops restaurants and neighborhoods
• Greenspaces – the Scenic Beauty of our Rivers, Hills & Parks
• Schools – Education, Top Ranked Schools

• Financial Stability, Supporting Strategic Initiatives, Master Plan Update, and Support for our Task Forces and the Sustainability Team
• Infrastructure – Road’s, sidewalks, utilities, erosion of stream beds, etc.

• Fish Hatchery Park project received “Keep Michigan Beautiful” award for 2021
• Collective Cooperation:  Friends of the Rouge, Great Lakes Restoration, Environmental Consulting Technologies (ECT), the EPA, the Township & the City, Parks & Recreation

• Exchange Restaurant (formerly Poole’s) refurbishing and top-side dining, to be completed by Derby Day
                      
   
• Restaurant and apartments on Center & Dunlap where the historic Opera House once stood
• Gold Cure boarding house and soon-to-be-renovation of The Gold Cure Home on Main Street

• Foundry Flask luxury apartments (originally one of the State’s oldest foundries) to be located on Cady/Main
                      
   
• Northville Downs potential mixed-use development as referenced previously.
                      

Northville’s Downtown Social District

• A look at where we started, the opportunity for citizen input going forward, future options being reviewed…stay tuned

• Regional walking and biking trails (connecting City, County & State Parks)
• River Restoration with reduced regional flooding & contamination
• Aquatic wildlife diversity and protection, stream bank restoration
• Placemaking, expanded green space and social interactions

• Creating a destination event area for our city through an attractive, easily accessible market venue with expanded education and entertainment activities. 
                     

• Rejuvenating our outstanding Ford Field greenspace into a true “central park,” with an expanded, accessible entryway, enhanced facilities, updated and expanded recreational offerings and an enriched environment for citizens’ enjoyment.
                    

• Building on the three pillars of: Social, Economic, and Environmental stewardship, for the betterment of our community.