DDA - March 18, 2026

Updated 9 days ago

Royal Oak DDA Meeting. Produced by WROK & CMNtv.

Held March 18, 2026; 203 S. Troy St. City Hall, Royal Oak, MI 48067

File Attachments:

Meeting Agenda (pdf, 37.7 MB, opens in new window/tab)

Chapters

agenda 1 (00:04:00)

1. Call to Order
agenda 2 (00:05:00)

2. Public Comment
agenda 3 - 4 (00:12:00)

3. Approval of Minutes 4. Expense Items
agenda 5 (00:14:00)

5. Presentation on Parking System Rollout
agenda 6a (00:18:00)

6. Business a. Pilot Business Retention and Recruitment Fund The Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Business Recruitment & Retention Program is designed to strengthen, attract, and sustain businesses within the Downtown Development Authority district. This pilot program provides targeted financial support and technical assistance to help businesses grow, adapt, and remain competitive while contributing to a vibrant and resilient downtown ecosystem.
agenda 6b (00:29:00)

b. West Street Playscape Public engagement efforts for the West Street Playscape go back to July 2025. Recently at the March 2026 Infrastructure Committee meeting the DDA was asked to consider suggestions from residents. A compromise to the original design was made, resulting in the plans before you.
agenda 6c (00:49:00)

c. Akouri Group LLC / Lafayette and 5th St The DDA has received a request from Akouri Group LLC to “forgo” capturing tax increment revenue that would be generated by their project at 505 S. Lafayette (Lafayette and 5th Street).
agenda 6d (00:49:00)

d. Wayfinding Signage Update Pages 4 9 11 16 27 31 The current wayfinding sign system, while it has served Royal Oak well is in need of an update. The current signs do not have a map that highlights destinations and important features in the District. They primarily show parking facilities. Most visitors will already have found parking before they look at the map. Additionally, there is no directory of local businesses. Finally, the event calendar component is a heavy metal sign that is fabricated, printed, installed, and then thrown away – definitely not sustainable.
agenda 6e (00:55:00)

e. Social Media Contractor At a meeting of the Business Relations and Marketing Committee it was requested to forward the full proposal from Amy Gillespie along with work examples, prior to the Board reviewing this contract at the February 25 DDA Board meeting. At that meeting a Selection Committee was formed of three Board members. Subsequently an interview was held with the top 3 prospects on March 9, 2026.
agenda 6f (01:00:00)

*f. Throne in Centennial Commons The City of Royal Oak engaged in a pilot project with Throne Labs to provide free public restrooms for customers at various budgets. The city budgeted to spend $145,800 for three deployments over nine months. They are looking to end the pilot project and see if there is interest to continue with the service of Thrones on an ongoing basis. Of the three locations, the one in Centennial Commons is where the City is asking if the DDA is interested in assuming the costs.
agenda 7 (01:17:00)

7. Reports a. Available Properties in Downtown Royal Oak b. Downtown Dollars Results and Analysis Over $3 million of gift cards have been purchased and $2.2 million redeemed with a redemption rate of 71.5%. Unspent funds from some campaigns were returned to the DDA with a small restocking fee. Data is presented along with analysis and recommendations. c. Fifth Street Update The Fifth Street Pedestrian Plaza project is about to begin. Meetings to prepare for the project were held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Results of those meetings and an update on wayfinding signage for the project follows. 36 62 d. Executive Director Report