Woodward Dream Cruise Hot Spot Temporarily Makes Way For Beaumont Redevelopment

ROYAL OAK—The Woodward Dream Cruise’s short-term pain could be Royal Oak’s long-term gain after the City Commission gave final approval for a massive redevelopment project at the corner of 13 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue Monday.

Beaumont Hospital — which has owned the 15-acre parcel since the 1980s — is planning a grocery store, a five-story hotel, and an array of restaurants and other retail spaces. Landscape gardens and community gathering areas, where city festivals and fairs could be held, are also planned.

Demolition of the site is already underway and the hospital expects formal groundbreaking this summer. Completion of the project, estimated by city officials at about $33 million, is scheduled for the end of 2018. The development is expected to bring hundreds of construction jobs over the coming months followed by hundreds more permanent jobs as retail and other businesses open.

The only hitch? Construction will eliminate a favorite spot of Dream Cruisers to display their classic cars this year.

“The Cruise will return after the new development opens,” said Beaumont Health Communications Colette Stimmell.

The Royal Oak City Commission approved a zoning change by a 6-1 vote Monday that allows for the redevelopment. The former Northwood Plaza shopping center went from general business and multiple family designations to a planned unit development zoning. The city’s planning commission recommended the changes to the commission at its Jan. 10 meeting.

“We appreciate the city’s support and are very excited to move forward with our plan to revitalize the property, based on the ideas of 6,000 area residents and Beaumont employees gathered through a survey,” Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak President Rosanna Morris said in a statement.

Interest in the development from the business community is strong, she added.

“We have a list of more than 300 retailers interested in space at the new center,” Morris said.

Beaumont will continue to pay annual property taxes of $435,000 on the property during redevelopment. The taxable value of the property will increase from $7.6 million to an estimated $11.3 million after redevelopment, ultimately benefitting the city of Royal Oak with additional tax revenue to support city services.

Former retail businesses on the property closed last summer.

“This development will enhance the experience for the surrounding community and for the 10,000 people who visit our campus each day,” said Morris.

Renderings courtesy of Beaumont Health