Mayors Memo: updates in the city

Southfield receives 2025 Metro Marvels livability award The city of Southfield received a sixth place rating of most livable cities in the Detroit metro area in a study done for the Empire Realty Group that specializes in attracting transplants to our region. The goal of the Metro Marvels award program is to celebrate cities that are actively creating more beautiful, inclusive, and livable communities while strengthening civic pride. “Communities thrive when people care–not just about what happens in their neighborhoods, but about how those neighborhoods look, feel, and function. Beauty isn’t a luxury–it’s infrastructure. It’s identity. It’s civic energy made visible,” the report maintains. The communities that made the Metro Marvels top 20 list this year were rated on parks & greenspaces, community events & engagement, walkability & street cleanliness, local business support, public art & murals, inclusivity & family friendly planning, and sustainability efforts. Sustainability includes trail networks, green infrastructure, recycling programs, and environmental planning. The ratings, the report states, are not just a list of winners. “It’s a showcase of what good looks like. Further, it is a celebration of beauty, vision, and civic excellence.” Metro Marvels spotlights the shared belief that well-designed, well-loved communities have the power to uplift people, strengthen local pride, and drive lasting change.

Model apartments at Northland City Center are ready for viewing pending the completion of building elevators this fall. The installation of the elevators has been delayed by a lack of sufficient electrical power to the site. Supply chain issues held up the delivery of a necessary transformer. The transformer was installed a month ago. Full power is now in use. There are a mix of one- and two-bedroom units and a limited number of three-bedroom/two-bedroom with den units. All units come with nine-foot ceilings, large windows, full kitchen appliances, washer and dryer, and walk-in closets. Apartment rents will be at market rate, starting at $2,200 per month. Meanwhile, the first-floor retail spaces in the first two buildings facing Greenfield Road are almost completely leased. The following are businesses have signed on: n Privileged Kicks – high end sneakers and apparel store n Braxton Grooming Lounge - hip modern barber shop n Ship N Go - UPS & Fed Ex store n La Marsa Middle Eats & Bowls n City Center Café – sit-down restaurant n Nora’s Pizza and Pasta n Victoria Nail & Spa n Qdoba Mexican n Brix Wine Bar Ground is expected to be broken late this fall on the next two towers along Greenfield. Northland City Center readies model apartments