Royal Oak Officials Want More Retail in $1M Land Deal

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Royal Oak city officials on Monday delayed the $1 million sale of a large, 80-space lot to the Downtown Development Authority because the proposed development plan doesn’t include retail space.

The DDA planned to sell the land off Eleven Mile between Main and Center streets to Etkin Acquisitions, LLC in Southfield for the nominal fee of $1, The Daily Tribune reports.

Etkin plans to develop 50,000 to 75,000 square feet of office space, with ground-floor parking for employees, under a plan worked out with the DDA, which would recoup its money in tax increment financing revenues.

“This is a big development and we should allow ourselves more time,” said City Commissioner Michael Fournier, who was joined in his call for more retail space in the project by Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shelly Kemp.

Increasing both office and retail space are key priorities for the City Commission.

Doug Etkin said his company isn’t opposed to considering retail, but wonders if it will be viable in that area. He told commission members the plan for the property was developed with the understanding that providing employee parking was a key objective of the DDA.

The City Commission and DDA will meet in a joint session at 5 p.m. on Nov. 30 to further discuss the issue.