Royal Oak is hitting a weird, transformative growth spurt right now. If you haven't been downtown in a few weeks, the skyline probably looks different, and honestly, so does the vibe. Between a sudden leadership shakeup at City Hall and a massive influx of new residents, the "City of Trees" is feeling more like a mini-metropolis every day.
It's not just the traffic on Main Street. It's the fact that the city is effectively reinventing how it functions, from where you park your car to who is actually running the show behind the scenes.
The $151k Exit: Royal Oak MI News at City Hall
One of the biggest stories dominating the local conversation this week is the departure of City Manager Joseph Gacioch. It was quick. Gacioch had been in the role for less than a year after taking the reins from long-time manager Don Johnson, but as of Monday, January 12, 2026, he’s officially out.
The City Commission approved a separation agreement that includes a payout of $151,487—basically nine months of his base salary.
Why did it happen?
The city is being pretty tight-lipped. The official line is a "desire for a change in direction," which is government-speak for "we weren't on the same page." Interestingly, the agreement includes a clause where Gacioch agrees not to apply for any future city jobs except for elective office. So, if he wants to come back, he’ll have to run for mayor.
In the meantime, the city isn't wasting time. They’ve already brought in Vettraino Consulting to spearhead the search for the next person to run the day-to-day operations. It’s a high-stakes hire because Royal Oak is currently juggling tens of millions of dollars in infrastructure and development projects.
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The New Parking Reality (And Why You Need Your Phone)
If you’re heading downtown for dinner this weekend, heads up: the old way of parking is dead. As of January 1, 2026, the city has fully migrated to a new system.
They’ve partnered with ParkMobile and installed Flowbird meters throughout the downtown core. The goal was to make it "seamless," but if you're used to digging for quarters or using the old kiosks, there's a bit of a learning curve.
- Download the App: Honestly, just do it before you leave the house. Most street parking now relies on the ParkMobile app.
- The 2-Hour Rule: Many of the spots still have time limits to keep the turnover high for local shops.
- The Garages: The parking structures are still your best bet for longer stays, but the tech inside has been refreshed to match the new city-wide standard.
Everyone is Moving Here—Literally
We’ve all heard the complaints about "luxury apartments" taking over, but the data shows there’s a massive reason they keep getting built. A recent residential market analysis suggests that Royal Oak could see an influx of over 2,800 new renter households this year alone.
Compare that to only about 385 new "owner" households.
The city is becoming a magnet for renters who want the walkable, urban lifestyle without the Detroit or Birmingham price tags (though Royal Oak isn't exactly "cheap" anymore). Mayor Michael Fournier recently highlighted two major projects, Lockwood and Lincoln Place, which are expected to break ground or see significant progress in 2026. These aren't just high-end lofts; the city is pushing for more "attainable" units to keep the workforce from being priced out.
But not everyone is happy. Long-time residents are increasingly vocal about the loss of the "small-town feel" as the city goes vertical. If you've driven past the site of the old Main Art Theatre lately, you'll see exactly what they mean. The five-story mixed-use building there is a massive signal of where Royal Oak is headed: more density, more retail on the ground floor, and a lot more people living right on Main and 11 Mile.
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What’s Opening (and Closing) in 2026
The food scene is having a moment of high-end evolution.
The OCC Culinary Institute: This is the big one. The new $74 million Oakland Community College Culinary Institute on South Washington is a beast. It’s 78,000 square feet of teaching kitchens and classrooms, but the part you’ll care about is the public restaurant and the "Sweet Oaks" café. It’s officially bringing a sophisticated, student-led dining experience right into the heart of the city.
The Great Dane Pub: Keep an eye out for the ribbon cutting here. It’s been a highly anticipated addition to the local social scene, bringing a bit of that Wisconsin-style brewpub energy to Michigan.
The Comedy Castle & Beyond: Mark Ridley’s remains a staple, but the surrounding entertainment district is shifting. With Aziz Ansari performing at the Royal Oak Music Theatre later this month (January 23), the city continues to punch above its weight class for national touring acts.
The Roadwork We Love to Hate
You can’t talk about Royal Oak without talking about the orange barrels. The 2026 Capital Improvement Map is out, and it’s ambitious.
The biggest headache—and eventually, the biggest relief—will be the work on Rochester Road. We’re looking at resurfacing and a lane reduction between 13 Mile and 14 Mile. It’s going to be messy during the commute, but the goal is to slow down traffic and make it safer for the neighborhoods on either side.
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There’s also a major focus on "Greenway" projects. Nakota Road and various streets near the Woodward corridor are slated for reconstruction. If you live on a street scheduled for work, keep an eye on your mailbox this spring; the city usually sends out those "what to expect" letters about 30 days before the bulldozers show up.
Looking Ahead: A Winter of Events
Despite the cold, the community calendar is packed. If you're looking for something to do that isn't just sitting in a bar, here’s what’s on the immediate horizon:
- MLK Day of Service (Jan 19): A joint effort with Berkley. It’s one of the biggest volunteer events of the year, focusing on local food banks and community cleanup.
- Sweet n’ Spicy: Ice Wine Experience (Jan 25): This is a Chamber of Commerce favorite. It’s basically a localized winter fest for people who actually enjoy the Michigan January.
- Farmers Market Antiques: Every Sunday, the Royal Oak Farmers Market transforms into an antique and collectibles hub. It’s arguably the best place in Oakland County to find weird vintage furniture or old Detroit memorabilia.
How to Navigate Royal Oak Right Now
If you're living here or just visiting, the "new" Royal Oak requires a different strategy than the one we used five years ago.
Stop fighting the density. The city is getting bigger and taller. If you're looking for parking, skip the hunt for a street spot and go straight to the 11 Mile or Center Street garages. The first two hours are often free or very cheap, and it saves you the stress of parallel parking while a line of cars honks behind you.
Engage with the Master Plan. The city is currently updating its guiding policies. If you have strong feelings about the "renter influx" or the height of buildings, these public hearings are where the actual decisions are made. Don't just complain on Facebook; show up to the meetings at the City Hall on 3rd Street.
Support the "Old Guard" while embracing the new. For every high-end chop house opening up, there’s a local spot like the Main Street Deli or the local hardware store that needs your business to survive the rising rents.
The "Royal Oak MI news" cycle moves fast because the city is in a high-growth phase. Whether it's a new city manager or a new $74 million college building, the town is clearly deciding what it wants to be for the next twenty years. It might feel a bit more corporate and a bit more crowded, but it's also becoming a more significant economic engine for the entire region.
Check the city’s official portal for the interactive construction map before you plan your morning commute next week. You’ll save yourself a lot of time by avoiding the Rochester Road closures before they even start.