Courtyard at the Costick Center Dedicated to Honor Mike Riley

"He lit up the place every time he walked in the door."

That's how Youth and Family Services director Todd Lipa remembers Mike Riley. The Farmington Hills resident died unexpectedly last winter, at the age of 52. On Wednesday, Riley's contributions were honored as a courtyard at the was rededicated in his name.

Lipa said Riley, whose family's charitable foundation has supported countless projects in the community, did a "fantastic job" of raising funds and creating partnerships that supported the city's after-school youth program. Kitty Ostach, youth program coordinator, said he was also directly involved with the kids.

Ostach said in 2007, Lipa asked her to meet Riley, a donor who wanted to support the after-school tutoring program. "I walked into the gym, and there Mike stood in the middle of all these children and having as much fun as the kids," she said. "He wanted to be involved and do as much as he could."

After Riley died, city staff members wanted to do something in his memory and began suggesting things that could be added to the courtyard: a swing, a pergola, tables. "It just grew and grew, with everybody creating this to be a place to gather," Ostach said. "I feel that he's here. I really do."

Lipa said provided a $5,000 grant that provided some of the equipment, and the Farmington Hills Senior Division and students from planted the gardens. Greg Main of Main's Landscaping also contributed.

"This is really a community project," Lipa said.

"Working here with Todd meant everything to my brother," Bill Riley said. He presented Lipa with a check for $10,000, as did the Farmington-Farmington Hills Optimist Club. Funds will be used for after school and youth programs.

Optimist Club president Bob Schulz said the club wanted to support the after school program. As public safety director for the , he said, "We have definitely seen the huge impact that program has had on the youth, definitely for the better."

Those who attended Wednesday's event were served two of Mike Riley's favorite foods: hamburgers and pizza.