LOOKING AHEAD Wixom’s near-term focus centers on completing its downtown transformation, with projects like the East Retail development poised to finalize the district’s footprint.“We would like to see that come to fruition and be built so it would complete our downtown area pretty much,” states Beagle, emphasizing this remaining gap in the city’s revitalization efforts. At the same time, the city is undertaking a critical master plan update (2025-2026) to guide sustainable growth. “We want to make sure that our land uses and the directions that we’re going make sense,” explains Benson, noting how past planning enabled successful redevelopment of the Ford site. Resource optimization remains paramount, with emphasis on core services and fiscal responsibility. “We just want to make sure we put those dollars industrial uses as well as the residential development we’ve seen.” Transportation improvements focus on critical corridors like Beck Road, where a multi-community effort is underway. “We have a website for it called Becktothefuture.org,” says Brown, emphasizing transparent planning.The city’s 10-year, $20 million capital improvement plan provides structured funding, while a recently passed $2.5 million road millage tax increase enables enhanced maintenance. “We make annual contributions to keep it funded,” Brown explains,“that way we’re staying on top of our infrastructure needs and not letting things get to the point where they’re declining and deteriorating and creating problems in the community.” These measures collectively future-proof Wixom’s physical assets while maintaining fiscal responsibility. 114 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 08
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