Royal Oak Vision Report: More Eclectic Retail, 1,000 Jobs, Fewer Bars

Royal Oak residents want fewer bars, more retail stores to provide “an unparalleled shopping experience” and 180,000 more square feet of office space to create at least 1,000 well-paid jobs for 2020.

Those are among the recommendations of the Downtown Task Force, which presented its report to the Royal Oak City Commission Monday.

City Manager Don Johnson expects the City Commission to follow through with the recommendations and “do everything in the report,” the Daily Tribune reports. That includes hiring a consultant to conduct a more extensive study to determine what types of businesses the city should attract and could support. As part of the retail development straegy, the city should offer incentives, the task force said.

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Mayor Jim Ellison, one of the task force members, said the recommendations can serve as a blueprint for newly hired economic development director Todd Fenton.

The task force, which included other city officials and business leaders, tackled a sensitive topic in Royal Oak – a feeling on the part of some that the city favors restaurants and bars over small retail businesses after a removing a cap on the number of liquor licenses a couple of years ago.

City Commissioner Peggy Goodwin said she thinks the recommendations provide a good framework, especially as the city works to achieve the right mix between retail establishments and bars and restaurants. “I like the idea of looking at our liquor ordinance and (possibly) amending it,” she said.

National Brand Stores Bad for Royal Oak?

The task force’s recommendation for “a showcase of distinct, eclectic, innovative retailers” caused one person on the city’s Facebook page to question what’s wrong with attracting national brand stores like GAP, Banana Republic, J Crew and others.

“It’s not a terrible plan,” Matt Turner commented, “but why does Royal Oak retail need to be a showcase of eclectic retailers? What is wrong with attracting successful chain stores? … Id much rather buy something in Royal Oak than have to go to the mall.”

Another commenter, Brian Long, agreed that “a few chain stores wont hurt anything,” but he wondered what kind of covenants the city can develop that will “allow chain stores that are good for the city's image and yet still keep the city special.”

Downtown Task Force recommendations:

• Read the full report here.