Geography
Novi is located about 10 miles north-west of Detroit Michigan in south-western Oakland County and is 31.6 square miles, or 20,417 acres. Getting around Novi is fairly easy, as all major east – west roads are numbered and exactly one mile apart. 8 Mile Road is the southern border of the city. 14 Mile Road is the northern border. Major north-south routes are also one mile apart. Access to Novi is easy, as four major highways intersect within the border – M-5, I-96, I-275, and I-696. Novi is relatively flat, with low, rolling hills. Much of Walled Lake lies within the city limits at the northern border, and a few smaller lakes, ponds, streams and wetlands can be found throughout the city.

Getting to Novi
Access to Novi is easy. From the south or east, just follow I-696 west or I-275 north to I-96 west, and exit at Novi Road. However, visitors to the shopping area, located just north of I-96, may want to exit either highway onto M-5 North, and exit M-5 at Twelve Mile Road. This takes you in the back way and can save time. From the west, exit I-96 at Novi Road. From the north, you'll need a map unless you take one of these highways due to the large number of lakes, and lack of through roads north of Novi.

Government
Novi is organized under a Mayor – City Council – City Manager system. The City Council generally meets twice each month. All city departments report to Novi's City Manager. Novi Mayor David Landry, currently serving his second term in office, is very well respected in town. Complete details about the city government can be found at the City's official website: www.cityofnovi.org.

Novi is well represented in the United States Congress by the Honorable Thaddeus McCotter (R), in the Michigan Senate by the Honorable Nancy Cassis (R), in the Michigan House by the Honorable Hugh Crawford (R), and by Oakland County Commissioner Kim Capello (R).

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. 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. 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. 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.

Parks and Recreation
There are six nice community parks in Novi to serve residents. This includes Lakeshore & North Novi Park and Beach, Brookfarm Park, Spirit of ’76 Park, Ella Mae Power Park, Rotary Park and the Community Sports park. A new park is planned that will link 8 Mile and 10 Mile Roads on the City's west side.

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, where some Novi resident attend, 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 Rock Financial Showplace opened in 2005, and hosts many events throughout the year. Novi is also home to Catholic Central High School, Second City Comedy Club, and the Emagine Theater - the first all-digital theater in the state and one of very few to serve alcohol.

Population
The 2000 census population of Novi is 49,570 people living in 20,154 residences. 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. Click here for details from the U.S. Census Bureau.

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 relatively 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. During the day, fulltime firefighters man the four stations. Evening, night and weekend calls are handled by the paid-on-call firefighters, who generally man two of four stations. Community EMS, a private corporation, provides ambulance service, although the Novi Fire Department does respond to all medical calls. The City is in the process of enhancing fire services. 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 to most residences. AT&T, formerly Ameritech and SBC Communications, provides local phone service. Cellular Service is available locally from several companies.

This web site provides continually updated local news and community information, and is operatedby the People of Novi as a community service. The Novi News is published weekly on Thursdays. Novi High School is home to a student run radio station, located at 89.5FM.

Restaurants and Bars
Novi is home to numerous restaurants. Local favorites include Moe's on Ten, No. VI Chop House, Steve and Rocky's, Shiros, and Jim Brady's. For nightlife, the current hot spots are the Post Bar on Main Street, the Library Pub on Grand River Avenue, and several other locations around Main Street and Fountain Walk. Complete details can be found here.

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.