Palace Of Auburn Hills Site Up For Rezoning

ROCHESTER, MI — Countless Rochester and metropolitan Detroit residents have traveled to the Palace of Auburn Hills over the past two decades for basketball games, concerts and other entertainment events. But when the Pistons decided to move back to Detroit and the Little Caesars arena, the long term viability of the Palace immediately came into question.

While no plans have been finalized, owners of the arena and the city of Auburn Hills are working on rezoning the 109 acres it sits on. If ultimately approved by Auburn City Council, the parcel would be rezoned as a technology and research district. It’s a designation that would allow an automotive related company or other advanced manufacturing to utilize the site — and add significant tax dollars to city coffers.

“We’re looking at all of our options,” Kevin Grigg, vice president of public relations for Palace Sports & Entertainment, recently told the Oakland Press.

The city appears to be in lockstep with the organization. Auburn Hills City Manager Tom Tanghe told the newspaper that the proposed zoning change was the result of a redevelopment review by city staff.

“The study produced a two-pronged approach; one being more of a ‘wish list’ for the redevelopment of the property and the other recommending what we are best known for -- uses that are typically categorized as research and development or advanced manufacturing. The latter of the two is a natural for us,” Tanghe said in a statement.

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The rezoning request is expected to go before the city’s planning commission on Wednesday, June 14. Should it pass, the Auburn Hills City Council would consider the request on Monday, June 26.

The team practice facility and executive offices will remain at the Palace for at least one more season while a new practice facility in built in Detroit, the Oakland Press reported. An amendment will be presented with the rezoning request to allow the Palace to continue operating under the new zoning.

Photo by Kevin Ward via Flickr Commons.