Professional One Quoted in Detroit Free Press May 7, 2006

BRENDEL HIGHTOWER: Northville
Wayne and Oakland counties
May 7, 2006

APPEAL: The city of Northville is a charming town nestled in the gentle rolling hills of the Northville community, which includes Northville Township. The city provides a glimpse of the past with grand, beautifully restored older homes and a vibrant oldfashioned downtown in its historic district. The historic district has more than 70 buildings, some dating to the early 1800s. A band shell in the center of town serves as the community's gathering place for special events, concerts and parades. Several redevelopment projects downtown are bringing new shops, offices and condominiums. Although the city is almost fully developed, homes are still being built. Small homes are being torn down and larger ones built to replace them, says real estate agent Phyllis Lemon from Professional One Real Estate in Plymouth.

FACTS: This 2.2-square-mile community was incorporated as a village in 1867 and as a city in 1955. Northville is divided between Wayne and Oakland counties. I-275 and M-14 are nearby. Northville is about 30 minutes from downtown Detroit and about 25 minutes from downtown Ann Arbor. Visit www.ci.northville.mi.us for more.

PREVALENT ARCHITECTURE: Restored Victorian, Queen Anne, Greek Revival and Gothic Revival homes built before the 1930s, plus some post-World War II ranches and bungalows. Large newer houses, some that measure more than 3,000 square feet, along with condominiums and apartments are in Northville. In 2005, houses sold from $122,500 to $925,000, according to multiple listing services.

POPULATION: 6,459 in the 2000 U.S. Census; about 96% white, 1.9% Asian, 1.6% Hispanic, 0.4% black. The population increased 4% between 1990 and 2000.

EDUCATION: Math and reading MEAP scores for the Northville Public Schools district run about 26% above state averages.

TAXES: $41.14 per $1,000 of a house's taxable value in the Northville district in Wayne County and $37.75 in Oakland County.

MAJOR EVENT: 19th Annual Flower Sale -- 9 a.m.-6 p.m. May 26 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 27 on Main Street in downtown Northville. Call 248-349-7640 for more information.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Senior transportation services, for residents 50 and older or disabled, 248-449-9934.

PUBLIC SAFETY: Northville police reported 18 burglaries, two auto thefts and no cases of criminal sexual conduct, robbery or homicide in 2005.

SHOPPING, DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT: Several highly rated restaurants, shops and a live theater are downtown. Neighboring Novi, Livonia and Plymouth have plenty of additional shopping and dining Northville Parks and Recreation is a shared service of the City of Northville and Northville Township. Several parks, which include a dog park, have lighted playing fields, tennis courts and pathways. There is also a portable skate park shared with the Plymouth community; Mill Race Village, which has historic buildings, and harness racing at Northville Downs.

MAJOR EMPLOYER: Northville Downs Racetrack, Belanger Inc., Jack Doheny Supplies.

WHY I LIVE HERE: Wende Boerema says, "What we like about Northville is the historic downtown area, great neighborhoods and excellent schools. Since I grew up here, I knew what a nice town it was and we chose to move to the city of Northville after my husband Dick and I graduated from college. "We love our neighborhood with its sidewalks and tree-lined streets, and we often ride bikes with our three boys into town. We visit the library and the park and stop for ice cream. Our oldest two boys are in elementary and preschool and we've had wonderful experiences with their schools."