Economic Development

Attracting New Development and Diversifying Away from Retail
Cities need innovative economic development strategies designed to quickly repurpose properties and cut the red tape so that business investment can move at the speed of the market and put vacancies back into productive use. As consumer demands continue to rapidly reshape retail and “de-mall” America, my team will double business attraction efforts with a vision of creating a City Center in the Westland Mall Area and the redevelopment of the former City Hall site.

Accomplishments:
• US Farathane’s $20-million expansion will create nearly 100 jobs while providing parts for the Ford Bronco.
• Regency of Westland’s Skilled Nursing Center is a $16.5 million investment with 120 jobs.
• Garden City Hospital’s new Westland Health Center will offer the city’s first 24-hour emergency room creating 40 new jobs.
• The Grand Westland Banquet and Events Center will open in 2022.
• Hundreds of new homes planned for Wayne-Westland Schools sites.
• Working to certify Westland as a “Redevelopment Ready City” with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Roads, Parks, Neighborhoods

Investing in Roads, Neighborhoods, and Parks

At the intersection of our roads, neighborhoods, and parks is your quality of life. We need to continue to invest in key infrastructure and amenities that make Westland a great place to live, work, and play. My vision is built around key Initiatives such as my “Neighborhood Makeover Program” and strategic investments in the city’s road and park networks.

Accomplishments:

• The “Neighborhood Makeover” beautification and maintenance program has targeted all 50 city neighborhood districts. For information on work completed in your neighborhood, visit CityofWestland.com.
• Launched Operation Clean Sweep to combat blight by removing trash from roadsides, parks and vacant commercial properties.
• Investing $4.2 million on road projects this year with major work scheduled for Wayne and Newburgh Roads. This brings investment in roads since I took office to $63 million.
• Completed extensive renovations at the Mike Modano Ice Arena and Mack Mayfield Municipal Golf Course and all 18 city parks.
• Refurbished walking paths and sports fields while adding amenities like the H2O Zone Spray Park and Play Planet.
• Adding the city’s first dog park, bike lanes, and pickleball courts this year.
• Seeking to redevelop the vacant Marshall School into a modern recreation and community center in potential partnership with YMCA.
• Actively pursuing grants for city’s first inclusive playground project.

Green Initiatives

Creating a Greener Westland and Ensuring Access to Clean, Affordable Water

The Westland we leave to our children and grandchildren needs to safe, healthy, and sustainable. That requires building on existing efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and reducing greenhouse gases. I envision a community that leads the state in curbside recycling, is first in meeting the highest standards for water quality and conservation, and implements electrification and alternative fuel technology throughout its city vehicles.

Accomplishments

• Currently working towards making Westland the first city in compliance with the 2018 Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act by removing all know lead service lines and creating a transparent inventory of every homes Water delivery system.
• Since launching Westland Mission Green in 2009, Westland residents have diverted over 1 million tons of trash from the landfill through the city’s curbside recycling program and the drop off center which is undergoing renovations this summer for additional recycling opportunities.
• Converted over three thousand inefficient mercury vapor and high-pressure sodium streetlights to high efficiency LED lights throughout the entire city.
• The proposed Western Wayne County Water Authority – consisting of Westland, Canton, Livonia, Northville Twp. – seeks to bundle the communities’ purchasing power to reduce rates while continuing to receive clean water from its current source.
• The Westland Police Department operates Wayne County’s only clean burning e-85 powered patrol fleet and will be adding an Electric F150 this summer.
• Four electric vehicle charging stations are planned in Westland as part of a no-cost initiative that will provide the city 5% of the annual revenues generated by the program to fund future electric charging infrastructure

Transparency & Fiscal Responsibility

Delivering Transparent and Fiscally Responsible Government

Transparency is inextricably linked to good governing and public trust. Residents should have easy access to the records and data that show where the city’s money comes from and where it is spent – and the confidence that their tax dollars are being used wisely. I remain committed to implementing practices that promote transparency.

Accomplishments

• Presented a $70-million budget for next year – marking 15 straight balanced budgets and a growing surplus of more than $6 million.
• Increased pension funding from 40% to 95% with low-interest bond sale without raising taxes.
• Launched a new city website and created a community fiscal transparency dashboard.
• Built new city hall, fire station, farmers market, spray park, community center, ungraded all parks and recreation assets, remodeled police station while working within current revenues and keeping taxes low.
• Leveraged city’s strong bond rating to refinance city hall bonds, saving taxpayers millions of dollars.
• Created easy online FOIA website with the most requested documents available at no cost.

Public Safety

Fostering Accountability and Excellence in Public Safety

The Westland Police Department must continue to lead the way in terms of transparency and building trust while keeping the community safe. While our department has been at the forefront of best police practices and accountability, the city must take additional steps to create a stronger partnership between the community and the brave men and women who serve in law enforcement.

Related Accomplishments:

• Launched online dashboard to publicly track arrest and citation data to guide policies and officer training.
• Formalized partnership with First Step, to provide a victim’s advocate to offer more immediate resources to victims of domestic violence.
• Continue to build on our CALEA-certification (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies), which is considered the gold standard for public safety.
• Westland Police Department received the Community Partner Award from the NAACP of Western Wayne County for efforts in increasing transparency, diversity, and outreach.
• Westland became one of the first departments to implement department-wide body cameras.
• Working with City Council, the Westland Police and the community to seat a Citizen Police Review Board.
• Ongoing training continues for Westland Fire Department to obtain federal certification.
• Strategizing to replace older Fire/EMS units and update Fire Stations and add additional manpower.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Our journey to become Michigan’s most “Compassionate City,” continues and is critical to creating a more equitable and inclusive city. Racism is a public health threat and barriers to inclusion and equity hold communities back. Westland city government can set the standard and ensure that its staff and practices reflects the diversity of our community.

Related Accomplishments

• Supported City Council’s declaration of racism as a public health threat.
• Appointed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission.
• Adding a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director to help city’s welcoming and equity strategies.
• Actively pursuing grants for city’s first inclusive playground project.
• I supported City Council resolution recognizing June as Pride Month.

Education

Supporting all of Westland’s Schools and Area Youth
The future of Westland is our youth, and we need to provide them the resources and support to reach their full potential and pursue their dreams. Westland has been a great place to raise my family and I want all families to have the opportunities my three children have had. Working with Westland Schools, we can ensure all of our children have the educational opportunities and resources to thrive.

Related Accomplishments

• “Wild About Youth Works!” is assisting students with financial literacy and those aspiring to join the workforce with summer employment at local businesses.
• Partnering with Wayne-Westland schools on apprenticeships in the skilled trades.
• Providing mentors and programming to help at-risk youth nurture healthy lifestyles and make good choices through the Westland Youth Assistance Program.

Water Rates

Mayor Wild has been fighting for lower water rates and has been leading discussions on the proposed Western Wayne County Water Authority – which consists of Westland, Canton, Livonia, Northville Twp. –and seeks to bundle the communities’ purchasing power to reduce rates while continuing to receive clean water from its current source.