DMC Coming To Royal Oak?

DETROIT (WWJ) - The city of Royal Oak may soon be home to a brand new Detroit Medical Center location.

WWJ's Rob Sanford reports the DMC is proposing a $50 million outpatient facility on some now vacant land.

The 100,000 square foot medical center would be built on the south end of Royal Oak near 696 and Woodward.

If the proposal is approved, the new DMC location is projected to add 155 full time jobs and would also include another one million dollars in annual property tax revenues for the city. Services at the hospital would include pediatric care, adult outpatient services and emergency care.

Mike Latessa, of commerical real estate broker CBRE, said that the hospital is interested in the tremendous freeway exposure that the site offers. "The access is terrific there, that's what made it such an attractive development site."

Latessa added that Royal Oak stands to benefit from the deal, as it means more people will spend money in the area.

Prior plans to build a business, retail or residential complex on the land never panned out. According to Latessa, there was never enough support for new office property, which was needed for construction. He says that many construction sites are now witnessing an increase in the development of new health care buildings.

"Right now, where you're seeing new construction occuring, it's in the health care arena."

Negotiations are still underway for the DMC to purchase the land. The Downtown Development Authority will have the opportunity to see details of the propsal next Wednesday afternoon.