New Coffee and Ice Cream Shop
A new coffee and ice cream shop will open this summer in Royal Oak. Milford-based roaster Proving Grounds Coffee will be moving into the former Gayle’s Chocolates building on South Washington Ave. The two-story building will feature a ground-floor cafe with seating, a stage for live performances, and views of the roasting room. The second floor will be devoted to study space, rentable rooms for conferences and events, and a large common area for families with children. The owners will roast beans on site and add ice cream production at a later date.
Marijuana Engagement and Outreach
On November 6, 2018, Michigan voters approved Proposal 1, creating the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act. This proposal to legalize adult-use (recreational) marijuana was approved by Royal Oak voters by a wide margin of 69 percent to 31 percent. Michigan law allows communities to permit, ban or place restrictions on marijuana-related businesses. The Royal Oak city commission is currently taking steps to study and evaluate allowing marijuana growers, safety compliance facilities, processors, microbusinesses and retailers in Royal Oak. A brief description of the types of marijuana-related facilities can be found here. While researching this issue, the city’s goal is to provide information and receive as much feedback as possible from its residents. Royal Oak asked residents to submit their questions on legalized marijuana. Here’s what you wanted to know.
AARP Age-Friendly Community Kick-Off
The City of Royal Oak has recently joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities. A kick-off to discuss local efforts to make our hometown a better place for all ages will take place on April 4 at 2 pm at the Mahany/Meininger Senior Center.
New Police Station Construction Begins
The construction of Royal Oak’s new police station is slated to break ground this spring. The P11 parking lot (east of the farmers market) is slated to close on Wednesday, March 27 to make way for it. During construction, the farmers market will remain open. Parking will be challenging until the new 11 Mile Road parking deck is opened in June. In the meantime, there will be:
- Free valet parking on Saturday for the Farmers Market.
- Large strolling shopping baskets for customers to store while they pull their car around, and volunteers to help customers with curbside loading and unloading.
- Free parking for Market patrons at Superior Fish (40 spaces) during Market hours on Saturday.
- 23 new on-street parking spaces on Third Street east of Troy.
- 20 spaces and additional handicap spaces in the P4 lot, between the library and the police station.
- Spaces near the 44th District Court, which were previously marked for court staff only, are now available for public use on Saturdays and Sundays. Please read signs carefully as there remain more than a dozen spaces near the court for a private medical practice. These private spaces are not available during market hours.
You can review the site plans and learn more about the police station project at rethinkro.com.
Nature Society Fundraiser
Senior citizens who live in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties are invited to enjoy a special free day at the Detroit Zoo. Senior Day features live music, tractor train tours, bingo, zookeeper talks and a senior resource area. Tri-county seniors age 62 and older and a caregiver will receive free admission and parking on Saturday, April 24, from 10 am to 3 pm. For more information, visit Detroit Zoo.
