Politics & Government

Developer Exploring 8-Story Hotel for Downtown Royal Oak

Residents living near the vacant Fresard auto dealership on Main Street say they like the idea. 'It's just what Royal Oak has been waiting for.'

A Southfield real estate broker is interested in exploring redevelopment of the former Fresard auto dealership at 400 N. Main St. into a potential eight-story hotel complex, according to a memo sent to members of the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority.

David Griffin of CBRE has submitted conceptual plans designed by Royal Oak architect Jason Kreiger to the DDA. The plans are intended to provide some context to the development in advance of a meeting between Griffin and the DDA members at 4 p.m Wednesday in the City Commission chambers at .

The plans call for a hotel with a separate banquet facility and five-story apartment building. The plans are not being submitted for review or approval. 

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"No official action is being requested or suggested unless the board has no interest in providing assistance," Tim Thwing, executive director of the DDA, wrote in a memo to DDA members, sent Thursday.

The sole purpose of the meeting is to gauge the DDA's interest in providing incentives or assistance, such as Tax Increment Financing, Thwing said in the memo.

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TIF is a tool the DDA can use to capture tax money from its boundaries to use for economic vitality projects such as streetscaping or capital improvements.

"Conceptually, I think it looks like an exciting project," said Scott Warheit, who lives in the Main North Lofts to the south of the Fresard site. "An upscale hotel is definitely needed and would make a great addition to the downtown."

Warheit wanted to hear more about the project, especially what the banquet center would look like. "Obviously that is going to be the thing that is closest to our building," he said. "But in theory, I like the idea of the project. It would make a better neighbor than an abandoned auto dealership."

Ron Wolf, a resident of directly to the east of the Fresard site, also likes the concept of a hotel development.

"I do believe this would be fantastic. It would be a tremendous boost to the businesses north of 11 Mile," Wolf said. "It is just what Royal Oak has been waiting for. With a hotel, we are a real city."

Calls to Griffin and Thwing for comment Friday were not immediately returned.

What do Patch readers think?

We asked Patch readers in January what they would , which has been vacant since the auto dealership moved to Ferndale in 2008. Here's what you told us:

  • : A hotel. Something small and unique with a decent sized meeting room that would be a compliment to local businesses. It could be used for area civic groups as well for their weekly meetings. 
  • A relocated and larger would be great. If not that, than a mixed-use building with office space, retail and a resturant would be a good fit.
  • Royal Oak needs a boutique hotel.
  • : Royal oak needs a hotel with small convention/ banquet space. This is a SERIOUS void that the downtown area does not have. We have all of the entertainment and restaurants and access to highways that a business or weekend traveler would want. My clients need to stay at the Townsend, or on Stephenson Highway in Troy. There are literally no options for them close by.
  • : Hotel... We need one and that's a good spot for it.
  • : A roller skating rink!
  • : I'd still vote for Kroger.

What do you think of the idea of a hotel on Main Street? Tell us in the comments.


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