DDA

Revised Agenda Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority Meeting Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 4:00 p.m. City Hall Commission Chambers Room 121 203 South Troy Street Royal Oak, MI 48067 Anyone planning to attend the meeting who has need of special assistance under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is asked to contact the city clerk’s office at 248-246-3050 at least two (2) business days prior to the meeting. 1. Call to Order 2. Public Comment 3. Approval of Minutes 4. Expense Items 5. Presentation on Parking System Rollout 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. 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. 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). d. Wayfinding Signage Update 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. 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. *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. BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority requests the Executive Director to enter into a contract with Throne to maintain the Throne in Centennial Commons, while concurrently working on establishment of permanent bathroom facilities in Centennial Commons. BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak DDA requests the Executive Director to explore options of applying custom graphics to the Throne identifying this as an amenity provided by the DDA and to encourage people to patronize businesses throughout the District. 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. d. Executive Director Report 8. Adjournment Page 2 of 2