Revitalization Project Underway for Downtown Farmington’s Bicentennial

In the heart of Farmington, a significant transformation is underway with the city marking its bicentennial in a symbolic fashion. Preparations are in full swing for new resident arrivals as the former Maxfield Training Center, a dormant structure for over 12 years, is being brought down.

The new occupants? The Hillside Townes, a fascinating 53-unit townhouse project situated at the epicenter of downtown Farmington. The town’s mayor could not hold back his excitement towards making the city livelier during such a historic period. He said, “Initiating such impactful projects during our bicentennial is a genuine pleasure and a privilege.”

The idle site was previously under the ownership of Farmington Public Schools and served as a high school and junior high school. The notable transformations were unveiled at a media briefing held on Monday morning, with the wrecked structure serving as a backdrop.

The buzz of demolition experts filling the air with crashing glass and debris marked the end of ceremonial speeches. They demonstrated their process of pulling down the abandoned structure, giving way to a brighter vision for the city.

The residential developer, Robertson Brothers Homes, will undertake the Hillside Townes project, expected to cost around $16-million. The affordable housing project aims to enhance the accessibility of downtown Farmington. This includes linking the site with nearby Shiawassee Park and a pedestrian promenade to Grand River Avenue and Riley Park.

State officials overseeing growth activities commended the investment, citing it as an initiative aimed at a brighter future for Michigan. Indeed, construction crews have already descended on-site, embarking on the demolition process, followed by the construction of the three-story townhouses.

The initial batch of five townhouses is scheduled for a late fall sale, with occupants expected to move in by the end of spring 2025. The director for marketing at Robertson Brothers Homes shared her optimism, saying, “There’s a lot of enthusiasm surrounding this project.”

Each townhouse unit will span a remarkable 1,300 square-foot, featuring two bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, attached garages, and an additional multifunction room. The prices of these units are anticipated to hover around the mid-$300,000 range.

The spokesperson from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy conveyed the potential this project carries for growth and redevelopment in Michigan. As he aptly stated, “Investing in the redevelopment of Brownfield sites is as much about cleaning up the past as it is creating a brighter future for our communities for future generations.”