Novi residents near 11 Mile Road and Lee BeGole Drive will see road construction ramp up as the city moves forward with an $18 million infrastructure project tied to its future Public Safety Headquarters.
The Novi City Council heard a presentation on the Crescent Boulevard and Lee BeGole Drive Extension at its Monday, Aug. 10 meeting, one of three major items the city highlighted on X as key takeaways. According to the city, the road work will enhance traffic flow in preparation for the new headquarters, which will sit on Lee BeGole Drive north of 11 Mile Road.
The project includes approximately 1,200 feet of water main, 1,900 feet of concrete storm sewer and 3,300 feet of curbed asphalt, according to a ConstructConnect project listing.
A complication surfaced in fall 2025: a previously unknown DTE Energy electrical duct bank was discovered under Lee BeGole Drive. At an April 13 Finance and Administration Committee meeting, officials discussed options ranging from burying power lines ($1.25 million to $3.25 million) to relocating the duct bank ($2.5 million to $3 million).
The $74 million Public Safety Building itself, funded by a bond voters approved in August 2025, is slated to begin construction in 2027 or early 2028, according to a March 2026 council update. Two new fire stations ($13 million) are also part of the bond package.
Mixed-income housing proposal
Lincoln Avenue Communities made its first presentation to council on a proposed mixed-income multifamily development along Grand River Avenue, listed on the Aug. 10 agenda as the "City West Corridor" project. The agenda also referenced a Michigan State Housing Development Authority TIF and Special Assessment District 186 in connection with the proposal.
Ice arena stays city-owned
Council also continued its discussion on the future of the Novi Ice Arena, the 75,000-square-foot, two-rink facility that draws about 700,000 visitors a year. No vote was taken.
Mayor Justin Fischer reversed his earlier support for selling the arena, telling C&G Newspapers in coverage published Aug. 12: "For the city to make the sale, there's just a bunch of hurdles, so I've come to the conclusion that it's not worth pursuing."
Fischer cited deed restrictions, the need to alter the parks master plan and the requirement for five council votes to proceed. He proposed the city instead take a more active ownership role, including selling naming rights and ensuring all user groups have updated contracts.
Councilman Dave Staudt said potential capital improvements could be funded through the Capital Improvement Program millage, which is on the November 2026 ballot for renewal. Staudt added a caveat in the same C&G coverage: if the millage fails, he may revisit the sale question "because we have a responsibility to look at all the potential sources of revenue."
Residents can watch the full Aug. 10 meeting at cityofnovi.org/video.
