Livonia City Council approved a notice of intent to publish a 45‑day referendum for general obligation bonds not to exceed $5 million to fund planned improvements at Sheldon Park, a project the city is developing with the Plymouth Road Redevelopment Authority.

Deborah Lichtenberg, director of finance, told council the PRDA has approved design services with DLZ (not to exceed $350,500) and that the bond wording would allow design fees to be reimbursed from bond proceeds. Lichtenberg said funding for planned work would come roughly 45 percent from the PRDA and the remainder from city sources; an existing parks bond that is dropping off the city’s debt schedule will free capacity for the new debt service.

Parks Director Ted Davis described planned site features under study: a splash pad, accessible playground, sports fields, walking paths, a large pavilion with restrooms and smaller pavilions, pickleball and tennis courts and landscaping improvements. Davis said stream/erosion mitigation and other site improvements are in the PRDA’s work plan and design phase.

Council asked about annual debt service. Lichtenberg and bond counsel estimated combined annual payments (city and PRDA portions) roughly in the mid‑$300,000s; the city’s portion was estimated at about $175,000 annually and would be paid from parks and recreation funds. Council noted the PRDA’s contribution and a $100,000 donation from Bill Brown Ford already accepted by council.

Members of the public asked about whether the project would include a pool; staff said the current design does not include a pool and that the pool shell would have required an estimated $125,000–$150,000 in repairs for short‑term use, money staff elected not to spend because a full redesign is underway. A resident asked for compliance with accessibility standards and wider public outreach; staff said design work has been in the capital plan since 2020 and the PRDA enabled the city to move into design.

Council approved the notice of intent on the regular agenda; the council will return with final bond issuance documents and a cost‑share agreement with the PRDA for final approval in a subsequent meeting.