Press Release | Office of the Mayor | Westland DDA Approves New Lions Pavilion and New Home for All Service Memorial

For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

36300 Warren Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185

Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 734.422.1230

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

Westland DDA Approves New Lions Pavilion and New Home for All Service Memorial

Westland - On Thursday, February 23 the Westland Downtown Development Authority approved a plan to construct a new 3,000 square foot, open-air pavilion which will compliment the existing Farmers Market Pavilion and share several of the design elements and building materials. The new structure will be 3,000 square feet and will serve to accommodate the growing popularity of the Westland Farmers and Artisans Marketplace as well as the other amenities at Tattan Park. The pavilion will bear the name of the Lions Pavilion.

The Westland Lions are excited to have the reconstruction of the Lion's Pavilion," commented Ken Sharp, Director of the Westland Lions Club. "It was originally financed and built by the Lions in the late 70's and was later removed due to the remediation of the park. We are excited to work with the City of Westland and contribute to the cost of the rebuilding and installation at the Farmers Market."

The scope of the project also includes the relocation of the All Service Memorial which is currently on the site of the former city hall property, which was approved at a previous meeting. The All Service Memorial was dedicated in 1969 to all who have served, are serving and will serve our flag and country for the cause of freedom.

"I am very excited to see this project move forward at what I consider the city's crown jewel, Tattan Park." commented DDA chairman Mike Londeau. "I believe it will really compliment our existing facilities, helping to expand our programming, as well as the needs of our over-growing Farmers and Artisans Marketplace."

"I appreciate the contributions that the Westland DDA continues to make to the renaissance of Westland," commented Mayor William R. Wild. "This will be another extremely high quality asset in the city's parks portfolio."

The DDA approved a budget that is not to exceed $715,000. The project will be put out for competitive bid in March and construction to be completed in 2017.

For more information, please call Aubrey Berman at (734)467-3200

Westland, Michigan is the state's 10th largest municipality, with a population of over 84,000 people who exhibit a great deal of pride in their All-American City. Westland has a thriving business community along with beautiful residential areas. The citizens enjoy a wide array of amenities and a quality of life that is second to none.

In 2014, Westland was rated as one of 24/7 Wall Street's America's Best 50 Cities to Live, offering residents and visitors an ideal blend of single-family affordable homes, apartments and condominiums, great schools, and access to numerous outdoor activities. Public safety is delivered by full-service, professional law enforcement and firefighting personnel. Westland Police Department, whose motto is protect and serve, provides emergency dispatch services to four cities and over 100,000 residents; the Westland Fire Department are licensed paramedics who responded to over 9,000 calls for service last year, about 85% being medical based. They never forget their mission of preserving life and property.

Westland is well-known as the premier destination for shopping and dining in Wayne County with hundreds if shops and restaurants anchored by the Westland Shopping Center, on of the country's original four regional malls.

Infinite opportunities are available in Westland for the recreation aficionado including, more that 40 parks and 1,500 acres of trails, a 9-hole golf course, hockey arena, athletic fields, playscapes, a Farmers and Artisans Market and more. One of Michigan's most environmentally friendly cities, Westland has a progressive curbside recycling program with one of the highest participation rates in the nation and the City is raising the bar for cultural experiences with the placement of public art throughout the City.

The City is served by two public school districts; Wayne-Westland Community Schools serving 12,000 youth was recently named one of the Best School in Michigan by WXYZ-TV and is the proud recipient of 14 Golden Apple and two Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards. Livonia Public Schools, educating nearly 15,000 students, is proud of their MEAP/MME scores that exceed state averages and the District has also earned Golden Apple and Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards.

The City provides competitive incentives for those who are interested in investing in Westland, making it one of the hottest investment markets in the region. Our Fast-Track to Business Team, which consists of key decision makers who work diligently on a development plan will "cut the red tape" and expedite the approval process for new business development.