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29-434: The city was home to the now-demolished Wixom Assembly Plant , which operated from 1957–2007. The city is also home to several production and manufacturing businesses, including Trijicon , Discraft , NGK , Rockwell Medical and Majic Window. The settlement of Wixom dates back to 1831. In the beginning, Wixom was named Sibley's Corners after the first settler, 20 year old philanthropist Alonzo Sibley. Sibley settled in what

58-524: A full-time fire chief, fire marshal, and an EMS coordinator. The Wixom Firefighters are represented by the Michigan Association of Fire Fighters. Wixom Firefighters hold their annual Breakfast with Santa and collect non-perishable food. In a typical year, over 1500 pounds are collected and donated to local food banks. In 1996, two Wixom police officers, Gary Hamlin and Martin Harp, undertook

87-578: A hallway; the shooter wounded three others. Fleeing the plant, Atkins hid in storm drain tunnels while law enforcement surrounded the plant and trained their weapons from as far away as the Interstate 96 freeway. Hours later he surrendered. The downtown area of the city was developed with a new main street area on Pontiac Trail by the city offices called the Wixom Village Center. This was a $ 200 million project. The Village Center includes

116-665: A participating bar or restaurant. Over $ 460,000 back into downtown. Future Projects Pontiac Trail Power Lines & Streetscape Wixom Loop - Trail Walk Activation Downtown Public Art Program Wixom Road Landscaping EV Charging Stations Expansion of downtown light posts & flower baskets DDA Events & Initiatives Wednesdays in Wixom - January/February Sip n Stroll - March, October Derby Day Races - May Block Party - September Spooktacular Downtown Treat Hunt - October Downtown Dazzle - November/December Candy Cane Lane - December Contributed funding for: Concerts in

145-425: A pedestrian plaza, restaurants, and service shops. The residential development called Tribute of Wixom will contains 600 units that include ranch-style condos, town houses, and single-family homes. The project was postponed in 2008 and construction did not begin again until 2014. Wixom Downtown Development Authority (DDA) The DDA’s primary source of revenue is Tax Increment Financing (TIF). TIF capture occurs through

174-656: A place started in 1871 when Willard Clark Wixom (son of Ahijah C. Wixom and Lucy Clark) granted a right of way through his property for the Holly, Wayne and Monroe Railroad. Willard platted land on both sides of the railroad near the Novi and Commerce Township border. In 1883, Willard opened his property up to become an important railroad junction to make way for the Michigan Airline Railroad Grand Trunk Western Railroad . With

203-582: A small portion of southern Wixom is in the area of the Novi Community School District . Schools located in the city limits include Loon Lake Elementary School, Wixom Elementary School, Sarah Banks Middle School, and Wixom Christian School. The Walled Lake district's Twin Sun Preschool is also in Wixom. Walled Lake district elementary schools serving Wixom include Loon Lake, Wixom, Hickory Woods, and Walled Lake. Most of Wixom

232-563: A village prompted the newly established village of Wixom to incorporate as a city. The city largely follows the borders of the village although a small area of parkland on the north side of the city was annexed from Commerce Township in the 1970s. On November 13, 1996, Gerald Atkins "shot his way" (according to eyewitness reports) into the Ford Wixom Assembly Plant with a CAR-15 semi-automatic rifle, eventually killing plant manufacturing manager Darrell Izzard (aged 57) in

261-647: Is a public school district in Metro Detroit in the U.S. state of Michigan , serving Walled Lake , Wixom , Wolverine Lake , and portions of Commerce Township , Novi , Farmington Hills , Orchard Lake Village , West Bloomfield , and White Lake Township . In the 2000s the State of Michigan requested that the district buy land in an area in Commerce Township . At the time the state owned about 600 acres (240 ha) of land there. In February 2004

290-560: Is in Wixom. St. William Catholic Church, which includes Wixom in its service area, operates St. William Catholic School, a K-8 school in Walled Lake . St. William Church in Walled Lake includes Wixom in its service area. There are also numerous other religious congregations in the area along with a large percent of the population not adhering to any belief system. The studios of WTVS (Detroit Public Television) are located in

319-401: Is today called Commerce Township, where he purchased approximately 80 acres of land. Over time, Sibley purchased about 350 more acres of land. In 1837 Sibley donated a portion of his property for a local cemetery; which was called South Commerce Burial Ground; however, was later changed to Wixom Cemetery. Sibley then became the president of the cemetery association. The establishment of Wixom as

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348-600: Is zoned to Banks Middle School, with a small part zoned to Geisler Middle School. Most residents are zoned to Walled Lake Western High School . Some parts of the city are zoned to Walled Lake Central High School . The portion in the South Lyon district is zoned to Dolsen Elementary School, Centennial Middle School, and South Lyon East High School . Catholic schools are under the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit . St. Catherine of Siena Academy

377-644: The Lincoln LS ended in early April 2006 and production of the Ford GT stopped on September 21, leaving the Town Car as the plant's final Ford Motor Company product. Wixom was the most profitable plant in the industry during the 1980s when Cadillac downsized its lineup and lost ground to Lincoln. Due to Lincoln's falling sales, Ford announced on January 23, 2006, it would sell the Wixom plant in 2007 as part of its The Way Forward . Some analysts argued that

406-666: The White House , conducted by president Bill Clinton . Wixom Assembly Plant The Ford Wixom Assembly Plant was a Ford Motor Company manufacturing facility in Wixom, Michigan , with production reaching 6,648,806 over the fifty years it was operational (1957–2007). Wixom opened April 15, 1957, replacing the former Lincoln Motor Company Plant at 6200 West Warren Avenue (at Livernois). It eventually expanded to 4.7 million square feet, becoming one of Ford's largest manufacturing sites. The first car manufactured August 1, 1957

435-518: The City of Wixom, will focus on the redevelopment of City owned parcels. 2. Branding, Logo, and Wayfinding Signage: In conjunction with the City of Wixom, the DDA will be working with Guide Studios out of Cleveland, OH on the rebranding of Downtown Wixom/City of Wixom and creating a plan for wayfinding signage to be incorporated into the entire City of Wixom. 3. The Civic Center Playground: In partnership with

464-588: The Park, Fireworks, Tree Lighting Festival, and other City sponsored downtown events. Over $ 100,000 invested back into the community. The Wixom DDA relies on its volunteers to help in many areas; events, committees, board positions, day-to-day operations, and more. Most of Wixom is part of Walled Lake Consolidated Schools . The extreme southwest portion of the city is within the South Lyon Community School District . Additionally

493-604: The Parks & Rec Commission, and the Library Board, a new playground was constructed in 2024, with a budgeted investment from the Wixom DDA of $ 250,000. 4. West End Commons: The DDA is actively pursuing grant funding and other funding sources for the development of this area. Congressional funding: $ 738,400.00; OC ARPA Funding: $ 206,868.00; DDA Funding: $ 320,000.00. Recent Projects West End Sidewalk Project: Sidewalk on

522-618: The Riley Broadcast Center and HD Studios. The police station is located in the newly developing downtown area on Pontiac Trail. The Wixom Police Department was formed on October 14, 1957. Prior to 1958, Wixom received police services from the Oakland County Sheriff's Department . Wixom is protected by Fire Station #1 on North Wixom Road. The Wixom Fire Department is staffed with combination of full-time, paid on-call, and auxiliary firefighters in addition to

551-644: The South side of Pontiac Trail between Wixom Road and Old Wixom Road was rebuilt and updated with new landscaping boxes in 2023. Construction of the Wixom Loop in coordination with the City of Wixom Parks & Recreation Department. Downtown Hanging Baskets: Annual installation of baskets takes place every year in May. The Junction Social District This common area is designated within the downtown district where customers can enjoy their alcoholic beverages purchased from

580-481: The dangerous task of apprehending and arresting Gerald Atkins (the above-mentioned Ford plant killer) as he sought refuge in a large storm drain. For their bravery and heroism they received awards and commendations, including official thanks in the form of resolutions passed by the state legislature and the National Association of Police Organizations TOP COPS award, which was given during a ceremony at

609-604: The district filed an application with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources proposing to purchase 155 acres (63 ha) of land along Wise Road in the township. In response, a land conservation group attempted to stop the efforts. In 2010 the district reported having a potential deficit of $ 22.7 million for the 2010–2011 school year . The district proposed a deficit reduction plan which proposed privatizing transportation and custodial services and laying off 300 district employees, including teachers. In 2017,

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638-455: The new junction, Willard located the railroad station, union depot (called Wixom Station) and mail drop at the intersection of his property. The construction of the railroad junction attracted many new business investments, stores, a lumber yard, and a cider mill, ultimately turning the small village into Michigan's largest grain produce handling point. The name of the town was then change from Sibley's Corners to Wixom. On December 24, 1901, Willard

667-468: The normal increase in property taxes over the base year the DDA was established, due to new investment (building of homes and businesses for example) and/or inflation. So, as property values rise in the DDA District over the base year, the DDA captures the increase in value and invests those funds back into the district. Priorities of Focus 2024/2025 1. Renton Area Redevelopment: The DDA, along with

696-619: The plant might not be closed. A report in The Oakland Press said "the fate of the Wixom plant, however, will depend on the shape of Ford's future product plan, which seems to be currently in flux." Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm reportedly offered $ 115 million in tax cuts to keep the plant open. The plant was closed in 2007, and by mid-June 2008, while Ford was able to find buyers for other idled plants, Wixom remained unsold. Several alternative energy uses were announced, but none came to fruition. In 2012, Ford began demolishing

725-614: The plant. The next year the Baidas family, owners and operators of General RV Center, sought and were awarded mixed use zoning permits in an area nearby of the Wixom property. In 2014 the family broke ground on 33 acres near the Wixom property to build a new corporate headquarters and RV Dealership. A Menards outlet has also been built on the site. 42°30′14″N 83°32′27″W  /  42.50389°N 83.54083°W  / 42.50389; -83.54083 Walled Lake Consolidated Schools The Walled Lake Consolidated School District

754-572: The projects for that building. As of the beginning of the 2017–2018 school year, the district moved all of the Community Education Center offices to the Educational Services Center. The City of Walled Lake filed lawsuit against the school district to prevent it from being demolished, which the district had gone out to bid for. City officials cited that the building is a landmark in the city, being built in

783-482: The school board voted to close the Community Education Center due to increased costs and decreased funding from the state. The district at the time was also completing the Safety, Security and Technology Bond, that was approved by voters in 2014. When it became time to renovate the Community Education Center, it was determined that due to the age and functions of the building, it would not be fiscally-responsible to complete

812-563: Was struck and killed by a passenger train while crossing the tracks in his horse and buggy. The village of Wixom was incorporated in the 1950s following the announcement of plans to construct the Wixom Assembly Plant in Novi Township. Prior to that time, Wixom was an unincorporated place. The village borders included portions of both Novi and Commerce Townships. Efforts by the remainder of Novi Township to incorporate as

841-765: Was the Lincoln Capri , and the last was a white chocolate Lincoln Town Car which rolled off the line at 12:55   pm on May 31, 2007. The plant only created components and manufactured complete Lincoln cars, as well as the Ford Thunderbird — along with the Ford GT40 of the 1960s and the Ford GT of the 2000s. Components were also shipped in knock-down kits and sent to only two dedicated branch assembly locations in California. Production of

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