Re-imagine Your Library

• Dedicated Children’s room
• Dedicated Teen space
• Additional study rooms
• Dedicated Genealogy Research Room
• Friends of the Library Bookstore
• Comfortable seating areas
• Outdoor seating area
• Outdoor library events area
• Drive up return/pick up window
• Additional parking
• Larger event spaces that can hold more event attendees
• More library events
• No event wait lists for popular events
• More space to add more items to our Library of Things
• Makerspace with innovative library technology such as computers, design software, and file conversion technology
• Additional space for more library materials
• Accessible RestRooms

1. What is the estimated cost of the new facility?
   The estimated cost to build a new facility for Lyon Township Public Library is $13,000,000. The millage is for a bond covering a total of $13 million for 30 years.  
2. What is the millage rate to taxpayers to cover the cost of the project?
   The millage is for 0.4677 mills the first year, and an annual average of 0.3931 mills after that.
3. What is the cost to taxpayers?
   The Median house price in Lyon Township as of June 2022 is $439,000 – The cost for a house of this value is $103 for the first year. Please see the chart below for a complete cost per household.
   

1. What is the Township’s financial commitment?
   Lyon Township committed to $2.5 million dollars for shared infrastructure costs, including tying into water and sewer lines and other utilities, paving a shared parking lot, and widening Milford Road to include a left turn lane and re-striping from 11 Mile to north of the curve as shown on the rendering.
   The Township has also provided a Township owned parcel of land for the library facility and community park.

The current library offers library services out of a 6,000-square-foot building for a community that has more than 24,000 residents. Half of the building, approximately 3,000 square feet, houses the library. The other half of the building houses the Lyon Township Community Center, which is used for library events and for Lyon Township resident privately scheduled events, and two study rooms. The building is owned by Lyon Township, and the library pays rent for it’s use.

By comparison, here are the sizes of neighboring community libraries.

The library rents the current building from the Township (current rent $10,000/year). It is the townships decision after the library vacates what will be done with the building. Because the library was built with community block grant money from the State it cannot be sold, and must continue to be used for community use.

In 2017, the voters of Lyon Township voted for a 0.89 operating millage to fund operation of LTPL for 10 years. Due to Headlee Rollback, the Library Operating millage collection rate in 2024 is 0.8702. This year that will collect $1.69 million dollars. The Library Operating Millage will expire in 2027.

It is probable that the current operating millage will not be sufficient to run the new library. Library administration has been preparing for this, and has a healthy fund balance to cover any shortfalls before the current millage expires.

A comprehensive site study was done of 3 Township owned properties to determine which site would be most appropriate and economically feasible for a new library. Community feedback indicated that the two best sites based on cost for construction and location were the parcels at 11 Mile Rd. and Milford Rd., and Mill River. The Township Board decided that pursuing a combined township library/park project at 11 Mile Rd. and Milford Rd. was the best option. Click the image to see the complete site study.

Construction began on the new library in the November of 2024, with an estimate of 18-20 months to completion.

Funding for the park amenities is not included in the library bond. Funding for the park will come from the Township general fund and potential future grants.

Park amenities cannot be added until the shared infrastructure is in place. Having the infrastructure and library in place will also qualify the township for additional grants to enhance the park.

The Township has approved a conceptual plan that includes:

• Ball fields
• Multi-use sports fields
• Basketball
• Pickleball
• Volleyball
• Food truck locations
• Playgrounds
• Amphitheater

Once infrastructure and library construction is under way, the Township Board will decide the best timing to add park amenities.