Public Invited To Weigh In On Proposed $100M Royal Oak City Center Redevelopment

ROYAL OAK (WWJ) - Royal Oak has some big plans for redevelopment in the city — but first, they want to hear what residents have to say about it.

The proposed public-private project would include construction of a seven-story office complex in downtown Royal Oak which would include the city government offices, a new police headquarters connected to the existing district courthouse, and a six-story parking garage.

The existing City Hall — deemed outdated and undersized — would be razed, with a new park in its footprint.

Once approved, city officials say work on the development could begin as early as this fall.

Royal Oak resident Alisa McDonough is intrigued.

"I like the park idea; I like that a lot," she told WWJ Newsradio 950's Ron Dewey. "Right by the library there, too — that's a nice spot. I mean, I don't think it's a bad idea...We can always use more parking."

Resident Edwin Atienza says a project like this is long overdue.

"I know their city hall right now is just so old and run down," Atienza said. "Because I know Warren has a nice one, a new city hall, and every time I go there I think, wow, it'd be nice if Royal Oak could have something like that."

"Since Royal Oak is such a destination place, you know, a nice central park would just add (to it); especially since the Barnes and Nobel and a lot of places where families used to gather have kind of gone the way of restaurants," he added. "Now you'll have places where at least families can get together."

Another resident talking to WWJ said he's concerned about how the city would pay its share of the expected $100 million tab.

That's one question that may be answered at a special meeting of the Royal Oak City Commission on Monday, April 18.

The public is invited to learn more about proposed design plans, ask questions and make comments at the town hall-style meeting which will be held at 6 p.m. in room 315 of City Hall, 211 S Williams St.