UPDATE: DMC to Present Concept for $50 Million Outpatient Facility to Royal Oak Wednesday

The Detroit Medical Center (DMC) will present its plan to build a $50 million outpatient facility in Royal Oak to the city's Downtown Development Authority on Wednesday.

The property the DMC is interested in is the vacant 4.15-acre parcel at Interstate 696 and Woodward, which is owned by the DDA.

The DMC plan, which also includes an emergency room, would employ about 155 full-time workers and add an estimated $1 million a year to the tax rolls, according to Lori Mouton, vice president of marketing for DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan.

"Our patients have told us they want outpatient care close to home," Mouton said. "The property in Royal Oak is our first choice. It has a nice central location with easy access to major freeways."

About two-thirds of the proposed outpatient facility would be used for pediatric specialty services. 

"There would be services for children that needed to see a specialist," Mouton said, including pediatric oncologists and heart, kidney and diabetes specialists.

Wednesday's initial presentation to the DDA is meant to give the board an overview of the the concept and answer any questions residents might have, Mouton said.

Tim Thwing, Royal Oak's director of planning and executive director of the DDA, has been talking to the DMC for about a month. He does not expect an offer or a final decision to be made Wednesday. "There is no set timetable," he said.

Thwing predicts the DDA will direct his staff to look at the development proposal and come up with recommendations.

"I think everyone will be pretty excited," Thwing said.

This is the same property the  had its eye on recently. Last month, the  to utilize the property.

Chuck Button, owner of on Washington, likes the idea of the outpatient facility on the vacant property, which has been used over the years for overflow parking, parade staging, snow dumping, and Arts, Beats & Eats parking.

"A facility of this nature would be great, but I wonder if there is enough space for the building and its required parking area for employees and customers," "Most of these types of facilities take up a greater ground area then exists at this location."

DDA member Jay Dunstan understands those concerns. 

"The concern over the site being big enough is one we all initially had, but I have seen the plans and everything seems to fit," Dunstan said. "When the came to us and said they wanted to build 10 theaters, a bowling alley and a banquet room, we couldn't imagine how that would all fit either, but it did."

At this point there are no zoning issues or variances that would be needed, Dunstan said.

weighed in on the DMC proposal Friday afternoon. Colette Stimmell, director of corporate communications issued this statement for Royal Oak Patch:

We believe that residents of South Oakland County, especially Royal Oak, are well served by Beaumont. The population of the area is not growing and there is no need for another emergency center or more outpatient facilities. We also believe that residents would prefer to be hospitalized close to home if they or their children require an inpatient admission.

This duplication of services will create unnecessary capacity that will drive up health care costs. Rather than meeting community need, it is designed to generate profit for shareholders.

Make your opinions known

What: Presentation of the Detroit Medical Center's plan for Royal Oak at the regular meeting of the Downtown Development Authority
When: Meeting starts at 4 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Royal Oak , third floor (City Commission room), 221 E. Third St.