West End Commons brings community together in downtown Wixom

A years-in-the-making effort to develop a new gathering place in downtown Wixom is nearing completion. 

West End Commons, a $1.2 million public space designed to transform an underused city property into a year-round destination, will officially open Sept. 19 during Wixom’s 10th annual Block Party. 

The quarter-acre space includes three seating plazas, shaded areas, game tables, a fireplace, stage and downtown Wixom’s first public restroom. Plans call for free community programming running from children’s activities and lunchtime concerts to s’mores nights.

The project grew out of an idea from the Downtown Wixom Development Authority’s Design Committee to create what planners often call a “a third space” — a place outside of home and work where people can gather and spend time.

Community leaders, elected officials, project partners and residents broke ground on West End Commons in June. The project was funded through U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens’ Community Project Funding, a Placemaking and Public Spaces grant through Main Street Oakland County and funding from the Wixom DDA. 

Laura Cloutier, executive director of the Wixom Downtown Development Authority (DDA), is excited for the community to be able to enjoy the $1.2 million community investment. 

“It’s a place for people to gather in the Junction Social District so people can grab a drink from any one of the five participating establishments to enjoy there,” Cloutier says. “We just want to provide a space for people to come out, enjoy, and gather with your friends and family. We plan on activating the space in different ways to bring people out to it and to get familiar with the park.”

The DDA also sought resident feedback on the project through community surveys.

This year also marks the 10th annual Block Party, which shuts down the western portion of Downtown Wixom between Old Wixom and Wixom Roads. 

“It’s an end-of-summer festival that encompasses live music, live entertainment, an artisan market, food vendors, and different kids activities,” Cloutier says. “Last year we expanded it to an adjacent vacant property that the city owns and expanded our artisan market. We have over 60 artisan vendors that will be joining us this year. It’s a growing event year after year, we see upwards of 5,000 people throughout the day.”

The goal of the event is to bring awareness to Downtown Wixom’s small business ecosystem — especially the Western end which typically didn’t get as much visibility as the Eastern end’s Sibley Park events, says Cloutier. 

“Residents and visitors can stop in Drafting Table Brewing Company, Backyard Coney Island, or visit a brand-new coffee shop, Apothecary Espresso and Coffee,” Cloutier says. “Those are just a few of the businesses in that area that people can stop into and support.”

Since her time with the DDA, Cloutier has seen the annual Block Party grow over the past seven or eight years. 

“About three or four years ago, we were on the verge of possibly canceling the event,” she says. “Thank goodness the DDA Board thought we should give it one last try. We transitioned the event to a late afternoon/evening event from 3-8 p.m. the past couple years, and the response from the community and people coming from all over Southeast Michigan has been tremendous. We went from maybe 1,000 people to 5,000 plus people attending.”

The 10th annual Wixom Block Party takes place on Sat. Sept. 19 from 3 to 10 p.m. Cloutier says organizers have expanded the event for its 10th anniversary.

“There is so much to do this year, and we couldn’t be more excited,” she says. “Everybody is welcome, it’s for our residents and surrounding communities — and anyone that wants to come and have fun in downtown Wixom.”

The live entertainment lineup includes Atomic Radio, Rude Dogs Band, and Mega 80’s. Free public parking is available adjacent to the event at Wixom City Hall and the First Baptist Church of Wixom. 

“My favorite thing about the Block Party is just seeing the people come out for it, and supporting the event in our downtown, enjoying our downtown. That in itself makes all the behind-the-scenes logistics and a year’s worth of planning worth it. Seeing the interactions with the artisan market booths and our small businesses, enjoying the social district, and enjoying Downtown Wixom is what the festival is all about,” Cloutier says. 

Together, West End Commons and the Block Party reflect the DDA’s broader effort to draw people to the west end of downtown, create places for them to stay and socialize, and increase visibility for nearby small businesses.