Re-imagine Your Library
New Library Building Architect Selected
At the Library Board Meeting on February 28th, the Library Board of trustees selected Quinn Evans as the architect for the new library project!
They also approved the Township engineer’s proposal for civil engineering for site improvements on 11 mile and Milford Road.
Project Overview
The Lyon Township Public Library Board and Lyon Township Board of Trustees are moving forward with a plan to work together to construct a joint township library and park facility at the corner of 11 Mile Rd and Milford Rd. The facility will include a new library building that will provide the space and services that our growing community has asked us for, and the recreational facilities that Township residents want.
1) The total library project cost is $13 million.
2) 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 Financial Considerations drop down below for a complete chart of cost per household.
Please see the drop down menus below for further details.
Conceptual Future Library Floorplan
Conceptual Future Library/Park Site
What will we get in the new 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
New Library Features
Library Bond Proposition
Library Bond Proposition approved by voters November 2022
Shall the Charter Township of Lyon, Oakland County, Michigan, borrow a sum of money not to exceed Thirteen Million Dollars ($13,000,000) and issue its unlimited tax general obligation bonds therefor for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, furnishing, and equipping a new, approximately 19,000 sq. ft. public library facility on Township property and improving the site thereof?
The maximum number of years the bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of refunding, is 30 years; the estimated millage that will be levied to pay the proposed bonds in the first year that the levy is authorized is 0.4677 mills ($0.4677 per $1,000 of taxable value of real and tangible personal property in the Charter Township of Lyon); and the estimated simple average annual millage that will be required to retire the bonds is 0.3931 mills.
Financial Considerations
- 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. - 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. - 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.
| House Price | Taxable Value | Millage for Bond for Library Construction | Proposed taxes the first year | Estimated average millage after 1st year | Proposed average taxes after first year |
| $200,000 | $100,000 | 0.4677 | $46.77 | 0.3931 | $39.31 |
| $300,000 | $150,000 | 0.4677 | $70.16 | 0.3931 | $58.97 |
| $400,000 | $200,00 | 0.4677 | $93.54 | 0.3931 | $78.62 |
| $500,000 | $250,000 | 0.4677 | $116.93 | 0.3931 | $98.28 |
| $600,000 | $300,000 | 0.4677 | $140.31 | 0.3931 | $117.93 |
| $700,000 | $350,000 | 0.4677 | $163.70 | 0.3931 | $137.59 |
| $800,000 | $400,000 | 0.4677 | $187.08 | 0.3931 | $157.24 |
- 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Current Building’s Specifications?
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.
Small program room causes crowded library programs 
Children’s area divided from rest of library with shelving 
Staff work areas in the library collection area 
Circulation Desk makes it difficult to check out customers 
Public computer/research area in between shelves of books & next to children’s area 
Teen collection/sitting area 
Middle fiction collection on carts 
Library seating area next to magazines and shelving carts 
Seed Library/LTPL Grows area next to audiobooks 
Study Table now used for craft kits & extra materials stored on carts
Who will own the new building?
The Library Board does not have the authority to go for a bond. Lyon Township goes out for the
bond and the library millage pays it back. We have an Intergovernmental Agreement that covers
the rights, responsibilities, and obligations that both entities have in regard to the library,
building and board. The township “owns” the library building and property until the bond is paid
off (30 years). Then, ownership passes to the library. The agreement also stipulates that no fees
or rents can be levied for the library’s use of the facility other than bond payment.
What will happen to the current library building?
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.
It is a possibility/probability that the township will make the entire building a
community center and be used in much the same manner as it is now. We do not know when
the township will make this decision.
What is the current operating millage?
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 2022 is 0.85830. This year that collected $1.2 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.
| House Price | Taxable Value | Millage Rate for 2022 | Annual Taxes for 2022 |
| $200,000 | $100,000 | 0.85830 | $85.83 |
| $300,000 | $150,000 | 0.85830 | $128.75 |
| $400,000 | $200,000 | 0.85830 | $171.66 |
| $500,000 | $250,000 | 0.85830 | $214.58 |
| $600,000 | $300,000 | 0.85830 | $257.49 |
| $700,000 | $350,000 | 0.85830 | $300.41 |
| $800,000 | $400,000 | 0.85830 | $343.32 |
Why was the 11 Mile Rd and Milford Rd parcel selected instead of other options?
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.
How long will it be before the new library would be open?
Ground is expected be broken on the new library in the spring of 2023, with hope to open in 2024.
What are the planned park amenities?
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
When will the new park features be available?
Once infrastructure and library construction is under way, the Township Board will decide the best timing to add park amenities.
Project History
2022 Project Timeline Summary
- In March 2022, the Library & Township Boards agreed to work together to realize a multi-use municipal site at 11 Mile and Milford Rd.
- A Library-Park Subcommittee was formed with representatives from both boards,
- with Library Director, Library hired architect and Township Engineer. The Library Park Subcommittee met in April, May, & June
- At a special meeting on June 20, both LTPL and Township Boards met to discuss the cost projections and conceptual plans for the library and park project.
- On July 27, the LTPL Board passed a resolution requesting assistance of the Charter Township of Lyon for acquisition, construction, and financing of public library improvements and approving proposition.
- The resolution request was presented to the Lyon Township Board on August 3, asking for approval with the intent of going on the November 8 ballot for a bond to build a new library as part of the Library/Park project. The Township approved the request–committing to $2.5 million dollars for shared infrastructure costs and approving the ballot language for a millage for the new library’s construction.
- On November 8, 2022 a millage was passed to fund the building bond proposal.
Future Library News
- New Library Architect selectedAt the February 28, 2023 Library Board meeting, the Library Board of trustees selected Quinn Evans as the architect for the new library project! They also approved … Continued
- New Library Arcitectural Proposals!Library Board MeetingJanuary 31, 7:00pm We are excited to take the next steps in our plans for the new library! Tonight we welcome architectural firms who … Continued
- 12/17/2022 Update-New Library RFPThe Board of Trustees of the Lyon Township Public Library issued a formal Request for Proposal to architects interested in submitting bids for construction of … Continued
- 11/9/2022 UpdateThank you library supporters! Our bond proposal was approved with a 57.91% approval on the November 8 ballot. We are excited to take the next … Continued
- 8/4/2022 UpdateLyon Township and LTPL have completed plans for a new Library/Park project, with the Township approving ballot language for a millage for the construction of … Continued
- 7/27/2022 UpdateThe Library Board passed a resolution requesting assistance of the Charter Township of Lyon for acquisition, construction, and financing of public library improvements and approving … Continued
Meeting Recordings
WATCH THE RECORDING OF THE MARCH 7, 2022 LYON TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING DISCUSSING THE
NEW LIBRARY PROJECT
WATCH THE RECORDING OF THE FEBRUARY 21, 2022 NEW LIBRARY SITE STUDY PRESENTATION
Library Board Meetings 2023
- January 24, 2023 | Agenda | Minutes
- January 31, 2023 | Agenda | Minutes
- February 28, 2023 | Agenda | Minutes
- March 28, 2023 | Agenda | Minutes
- April 25, 2023 | Agenda | Minutes
- May 30, 2023 | Agenda | Minutes
- June 27, 2023 | Agenda | Minutes
- July 25, 2023 | Agenda | Minutes
- August 29, 2023 | Agenda | Minutes
- September 6, 2023 | Agenda | Minutes
- October 30, 2023 | Agenda | Minutes
- November 28, 2023 | Agenda | Minutes
All other important public meeting dates will be added to the webpage when they are scheduled