Introduction
Welcome to Novi! Novi is a newer, thriving suburb of metropolitan Detroit Michigan. Novi is a shopper's paradise, home to many businesses, and a beautiful, well-managed community. Novi is home to Twelve Oaks Mall -- the largest mall in Michigan. There are several other shopping plazas in the city, as well as three large shopping centers near Twelve Oaks.

Novi is now home to the annual Michigan State Fair, and also home to many businesses, several technical and business centers, several hotels and motels, and numerous delicious restaurants. The entire region's power grid is controlled from ITC's headquarters in Novi.

History
Novi is believed to have been first settled in 1825, 12 years before Michigan became a state. The first Novi Township Hall was constructed in 1876, and rebuilt due to a fire in 1915. The Novi Fire Department was formed in 1929. In 1941, a local man created the Novi Special race car. The Novi Police Department was formed in 1954, and the first police officer, Chief Lee BeGole, remained Novi's top cop until 1991. Novi became a city in 1969 by citizen vote. However, one subdivision decided to remain a township, and to this day remains Novi Township with a population of about 150.

The largest building project in the City’s history was completed in 1977 with the opening of the Twelve Oaks Mall, shortly after I-96 opened through the center of town. The Novi Civic Center, seat of the city government, was built in 1987. In 1992 an old warehouse was converted into the Novi Exhibition Center -- the second largest such building in the state. That has since been torn down, and the beautiful new Suburban Collection Showplace.

For a detailed, pictorial history of Novi, see the book Images of America Novi, by Barbara Louie and Samuel Popkin.

Where did Novi get it's name? No one seems to know for sure, but here's what is known.
 

The Novi Ice Arena open in 1998, and is home the Novi High School Wildcats varsity hockey team, and the Novi Wild school prep team. Nearby Northville High School also calls the arena home. The Novi Arena has two sheets of ice, a concession stand, pro shop, and meeting rooms. During the winter months, the high school hockey games are very well attended.

Lifetime Fitness built a beautiful, large, modern fitness and recreational center on Haggerty Road in 1999. It is very popular with area residents. Novi Bowl on Novi Road is also a popular spot. Twelve Oaks Mall has become a recreational area, where teens and walkers are common.

The Suburban Collection Showplace opened in 2005, and is now home to the new Michigan State Fair and events nearly every weekend. Novi is also home to Catholic Central High School and the Emagine Theater - the first all-digital theater in the state.
 

Population
The 2010 census population of Novi is 55,224. It's now estimated at 60,000. Twenty years ago, it was less than half that. The median age in Novi is 34. Novi’s population is expected to continue to grow at a rate far above average for the region.

Public Services
The City of Novi provides excellent services to the People. Novi has its own police and fire departments, which are well manned and equipped. The crime rate in Novi is very low. In addition to the usual police duties, the department also provides a school liaison officer. Novi utilizes 9-1-1 for emergencies.

The fire department uses a fulltime / paid-on-call system.  Community EMS provides ambulance service 24/365 with at least a couple rigs in town continually. The Novi Fire Department also  responds to all medical calls. Persons interested in becoming paid-on-call firefighters should contact the Fire Department, or click here for information.

The Detroit Water and Sewer Department – one of the largest systems in the country, provides water and sewer services for most residences. DTE Energy provides electricity, and Consumers Energy provides natural gas service. Bright House Networks provides regular and digital cable service as well as Internet access and phone service to most residences. AT&T provides local phone and Internet service. Cellular Service is available locally from several companies.

Schools
One cannot say enough good things about the Novi Community Schools. Excellent leadership, sound fiscal management, and community involvement have made the school system one of the finest in the State of Michigan. Every measure and report we see indicates Novi Community Schools is among the finest in Michigan. 

The Detroit News rates Novi Community Schools A+ for overall achievement. Recent awards include Novi High School being named a National Blue Ribbon Exemplary school, and also being rated as a “Best 100 High School” by U.S. News & World Report. Standard and Poors (S&P) indicates Novi Community Schools students excel in standardized testing at the state and national level and have a very high graduation rate. S&P also indicates Novi Community Schools has below average administrative expenses, and average spending per student when compared to similar communities. 

Novi Community Schools consists of a high school, junior high school, and five elementary schools as well as an administrative center. Novi voters approved a millage recently to expand and remodel the high school to meet growing population demands. Novi Community Schools Technology Division has created an excellent web site at www.novi.k12.mi.us. 

Novi School’s sports teams also excel. Novi High School has 55 teams representing the school, and the majority of students also participate in athletics. In addition to the usual sports, Novi is home to an equestrian team, two hockey teams, two swim teams, a lacrosse team, two soccer teams, and a competitive cheer team. Novi's sports teams and athletes excel at the local, state and national level.

If you are considering Novi and have school age children, you've made the right choice.

Some residents on the south side of town attend Northville Schools, some on the north side attend Walled Lake Schools, and some on the west side attend South Lyon Schools. All are also excellent school districts.

 ~ The Editor