The fight over Livonia’s proposed new police headquarters is no longer just about bricks, mortar and square footage. Neighbors who have packed recent committee meetings say they want straight answers about what the project will cost, where it will go and whether city hall is trying to revive a plan voters already shot down. With a slimmer proposal now moving forward, residents argue the process needs to be opened up before any major decisions get locked in.
Residents Want A Seat At The Table
As reported by WXYZ, outspoken neighbors, including Jenaveve Lenoir, say the real issue is transparency and inclusion rather than opposition to public-safety upgrades. Heather Carney told the station she believes Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan has been extremely misleading and dishonest in how officials have handled and answered residents' questions. Those frustrations boiled over as residents pressed the council for more public involvement in how the project is planned and presented.
City Floats A Smaller, Pay-As-You-Go Plan
The administration has put a scaled-down, standalone police facility on the table, with an estimated price tag of about $48.15 million. The plan would be financed in part with a $35 million capital improvement bond, roughly $4 million from the city’s fund balance and a proposed 1% tax administration fee, according to reporting that first appeared in Hometown Life. City officials have pitched the approach as a way to tackle urgent building needs without returning a full $150 million package to voters, although several extras, including a parking garage and a plaza, would still need separate funding.
Backstory: The Failed Bond
The scaled-back proposal follows last summer’s defeat of the broader "Livonia Built" $150 million bond. ClickOnDetroit reported that nearly 67% of voters rejected the measure in August 2025, a political reality city leaders now say they are trying to navigate as they rework priorities and expectations.
Council Puts Plans Under The Microscope
Members of the council’s Capital Outlay and Infrastructure Committee say they hear the criticism and want more detail before any version of the project advances. Committee chair Robin Persiconi told WXYZ that the council is asking tough questions, and Councilmember Brandon McCullough has urged a slower, more collaborative process to safeguard public trust. City officials are weighing several site options, including the original civic center location, alternate southwest parcels and a site that would require demolition of unused buildings. Residents have flagged potential impacts on wetlands and neighboring homes as key concerns.
What Comes Next
The Capital Outlay committee held fact-finding sessions in early March and listed the police station as an agenda item for meetings on March 2 and March 11, with packets and minutes available through the city's calendar and document portal. The City of Livonia calendar notes that the committee will report its findings and recommendations to the full council. Residents say they plan to keep showing up at public meetings and to push for more community forums while officials fine-tune costs, sites and financing details before any final approvals.
