Farmington Hills council authorizes planning at Hawk for new activity center; seniors press to keep services at Caustic Center

Farmington Hills City Council on Nov. 24 voted to authorize the city manager to hire engineering, architectural and other consultants to develop preliminary site and architectural plans for a proposed new activity center at The Hawk, with a proviso that the existing Caustic Center may be reconsidered if council later finds the Hawk plans unacceptable.

The motion, put forward by Councilmember Aldred and approved in a 4–3 roll-call vote, directs staff to advance design-level work on the Hawk options discussed during an earlier study session. Evan of Sports Facilities Companies, presenting an abridged version of the study, framed the decision as the next step in a multiyear project: "goal for tonight is to provide you with information, data points, community information, and other key considerations as you discuss the future of an activity center related to its site here in Farmington Hills." (Evan, SEG 746)

Why it matters: consultants and staff said a new facility would replace an aging building and could generate recurring cost savings compared with the current Caustic Center…