Wixom, MI

Where Connectivity Meets Strategic Reinvention

A Former Automotive Hub Redefining Itself Through Infrastructure, Innovation, and Intentional Community Development.

Wixom, Michigan, embodies the rare trifecta of rich history, strategic connectivity, and economic resilience. Nestled among lakes and positioned near major expressways, this community thrives as a hub for both industry and small-town charm.

“One of the defining features of Wixom is its connectivity between rail, trails, roads,” explains Drew Benson, Assistant City Manager. “That’s really how Wixom came to be here and really has been our defining feature as we’ve grown and evolved over the years.”

Its story began with railroads, flourished with Ford’s arrival in the 1950s, and today showcases a remarkable bounce-back after the automaker’s departure.

Now in a second wave of growth, the town balances light industrial expansion, a revitalized downtown, and thoughtful housing solutions, all while maintaining the connectivity that defines it.

A Community Defined by Connectivity and History

Wixom’s strategic advantages begin with infrastructure. The Airline Trail, a repurposed railroad, serves as a vital corridor. “You can go from one side of the state to the other on this trail,” says Mayor Pat Beagle, emphasizing its regional significance. The city’s proximity to lakes, expressways, and the automotive sector further enhances its appeal for businesses and residents alike.

Historically, Wixom was shaped by railroads and agriculture before Ford’s 1956 announcement transformed its trajectory. “Wixom really came to existence when a Ford factory was announced here, that was the catalyst for our growth,” says Benson. “The city was incorporated as a village, then a city in 1957, but It had existed as a community for 100 years prior to that,” he adds.

The Ford Wixom Assembly Plant became an economic anchor, producing Lincoln and Thunderbird models. However, its closure in 2009 posed challenges. “Frankly, I think Wixom’s done a great job in responding to that challenge and taking advantage of opportunities associated with that challenge pretty quickly,” says City Manager Steve Brown.

The city’s resilience is evident in its redevelopment of the 325-acre Ford site. Approximately 250 acres have been repurposed for light industrial and logistics use, with tenants like Amazon and Wayfair. “All of that is leased out already, it’s fully occupied,” notes Benson. The remaining 70 acres present additional opportunities, reinforcing Wixom’s position as a hub for strategic growth.

Downtown Revival: A Hub of Activity and Investment

Wixom’s downtown is undergoing strategic transformation through mixed-use development and infrastructure improvements. The city has assembled four acres with aims for a pedestrian-oriented project combining 15,000 square feet of commercial space with 60 workforce-housing units. “We anticipate it will be both commercial space and three or four-story apartments,” explains Benson. The West End Commons pocket park, set for completion in 2026, will feature seating plazas, a stage, and year-round programming, further enhancing walkability and connecting to the Airline Trail.

Local businesses form the district’s backbone. Drafting Table Brewing Company exemplifies community synergy, owners Kristen and Aaron Rzeznik intentionally forgo a kitchen to drive traffic to neighboring restaurants. “They really encourage people to come there and drink their beer or wine or cider, but order food from the neighboring restaurant,” notes Laura Cloutier of the Wixom Downtown Development Authority. Volare offers high-end Italian cuisine, while the 83-year-old Wixom Bar remains a cultural fixture as the city’s oldest business.

Downtown’s vibrancy is amplified by events like the weekly summer Concerts in the Park, its annual Block Party, which closes an entire street, and the 10-year-old Derby Day races, which drew 450 participants in 2024. “There’s always something happening downtown,” says Cloutier, highlighting the city’s focus on inclusive programming for residents and visitors alike. “We’re really developing the downtown and making it walkable and really something for the residents to be proud of.”

Economic Growth and Strategic Planning

Wixom’s economic resurgence is anchored by the successful redevelopment of its former Ford plant, where 1.4 million square feet of light industrial space has been fully leased since 2021. “We’ve seen a lot of logistics distribution. So Amazon, Renaissance Global Logistics, NationsBenefits, Wayfair,” notes Drew Benson, highlighting the site’s rapid absorption. “We’ve just seen a ton of activity within the last few years.”

The remaining 70 acres present additional opportunities, with plans for 500,000–800,000 square feet of future industrial development. Smaller-scale projects like Yuken America’s 30,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and People Driven Technology’s 26,000-square-foot building further diversify the industrial base.

“As a whole, Wixom is roughly 80% built out across all of our planned land uses,” Benson adds. “We really are in the heart of what I’d call our second huge growth period. Since Ford left, we’ve reimagined what Wixom is. It’s a huge priority for the city to be forward-thinking about how we plan and accommodate businesses of all sizes.”

The city’s fiscal health is reinforced by a balanced tax structure of 45% commercial/industrial and 43% residential, and the balance as commercial personal property. “That’s a nice healthy balance and reflective of some great planning on a part of the city and prior leadership over the years,” says Brown, emphasizing its role in sustaining services.

This stability enables strategic investments, including a recent rebranding initiative to modernize Wixom’s identity. “We rebranded our new logo and we’re in the process of creating new community gateway signs,” explains Beagle. The rollout spans digital platforms and physical infrastructure, with updated wayfinding signage slated for 2025–2026, a visible commitment to the city’s forward-looking vision.

Housing and Thoughtful Development

Wixom’s housing strategy reflects its industrial legacy and modern urban planning. The city maintains a diverse inventory, from apartments originally built for Ford employees to newer high-density developments. “We’re unique in that aspect where probably half of our residents live in apartments,” notes Beagle, underscoring this historical influence. Current projects include a 70-unit townhouse development that is being considered and a mixed-use proposal with 60 workforce-housing units downtown, demonstrating Wixom’s commitment to varied housing options. “There’s been a lot of intentionality on the planning side of accommodating different housing styles,” Benson adds.

Strategic zoning reinforces this balance. “One of the things that I really appreciate as a city administrator is that there was some really well-thought-out planning that was done when Wixom was growing over the years,” says Brown. “Most of our residential is north of Pontiac Trail, whereas commercial-industrial uses are concentrated south.”

This intentional separation has proven effective, minimizing land-use conflicts while supporting both sectors. The approach accommodates growth through smaller-lot single-family homes (as small as a tenth of an acre) and attached townhomes, with recent approvals including a 41-unit subdivision. As Benson observes, these projects cater to “older folks or younger people just getting started,” ensuring housing remains accessible across demographics.

Infrastructure: Building for the Future

Wixom’s infrastructure investments demonstrate proactive, long-term planning. The city recently completed a $6 million upgrade to its wastewater treatment facility, adding a fourth clarifier to support continued growth. “We paid for that in part through our ARPA funding,” notes Benson, highlighting strategic resource allocation. “That will allow us to continue to have the capacity we need for new 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.

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 to work as efficiently and effectively as possible,” says Brown, highlighting Wixom’s commitment to maintaining high service levels while delivering taxpayer value.

A Blueprint for Post-Industrial Reinvention

Wixom stands as a model of strategic reinvention, having transformed its post-industrial landscape into a thriving, balanced community. The city’s success stems from deliberate planning, whether repurposing 250 acres of the former Ford site, revitalizing its downtown with mixed-use development, or maintaining infrastructure to support growth.

“Residents will appreciate that we’re picking one major road and subdivision to fix each year,” notes Beagle, capturing Wixom’s practical approach to progress.  “Hopefully they come out and find that Wixom is not only a great place to work, but a great place to live.”

With its master plan update underway and numerous commercial, industrial, and residential developments pending, the city continues to evolve while preserving the connectivity and character that define it. For businesses and residents alike, Wixom represents both opportunity and stability, a community that plans not just for tomorrow, but for the decade ahead.

AT A GLANCE

Who: City of Wixom, MI

What: A strategically located community leveraging infrastructure to attract industrial tenants while revitalizing its walkable downtown

Where: Oakland County, Michigan

Website: www.wixomgov.org