Oakland County Proposes Purchasing Ottawa Towers and Leasing Phoenix Center in Pontiac
(City of Pontiac, May 26, 2023)
Pontiac, MI – City of Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel shared the following information about Oakland County’s potential purchase of property in Downtown Pontiac:
There has been quite a bit of buzz this week about Oakland County’s proposed purchase of two privately-owned downtown office towers. Development of this site as a County hub, in downtown Pontiac, would revitalize the area’s economy by bringing hundreds of workers into the heart of our city.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED PURCHASE
It is important to note, this project is expected to bring 400-600 employees to the workspace that Oakland County envisions. Not only would this bring critical County services and programs closer to Pontiac residents, it would also return the County’s presence to the heart of the city where it was originally situated before being moved to the border with Waterford 60 years ago.
Earlier this month, the County was authorized by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee to enter into a purchase agreement to:
- Purchase Ottawa Tower, 5111 Woodard Avenue, from a private owner
- Purchase the currently vacant former GM Building, 31 E. Judson, from a private owner
- Purchase adjacent parcels of vacant land from a private owner
- Assume the lease for the Phoenix Center Parking Garage, which is owned by the City of Pontiac
The Phoenix Center Parking Garage is owned by the City of Pontiac and leased to the owner of Ottawa Tower and the former GM Building. That lease for the Parking Garage was entered into by the City’s previous administration for a period of 99 years, with stipulations that the “Lessee” would maintain the facility and make structural improvements. Since that time, agreed-upon maintenance and repairs have not been made and the facility is in disrepair and not widely used.
The proposal by the County to purchase the office towers has never included purchase of the Phoenix Center. Any decision made with regard to refurbishing the Parking Garage, or potentially demolishing it, would be made by the City at a future date and would require approval by the Pontiac City Council.
TRANSFORMATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR PONTIAC
This proposed development would exponentially benefit Pontiac businesses and residents by bringing downtown more office workers who will undoubtedly frequent restaurants and retail establishments. It would correct a number of negatives–economic and logistic–that occurred when the County moved its headquarters away from Downtown Pontiac decades ago. It also offers the opportunity to find a permanent solution to the decaying state of the Phoenix Center while potentially restoring public performance space in the heart of our downtown.
While we look forward to this phenomenal collaboration, there are a few variables that have to be determined. The County is currently in a 60-day due diligence period as details of the property are investigated, and funding from the state has yet to be determined. However, if all critical elements ultimately align, and the County is successful in acquiring the properties, we will welcome County employees with open arms back to Downtown Pontiac, which There has been quite a bit of buzz this week about Oakland County’s proposed purchase of two privately-owned downtown office towers. Development of this site as a County hub, in downtown Pontiac, would revitalize the area’s economy by bringing hundreds of workers into the heart of our city.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED PURCHASE
It is important to note, this project is expected to bring 400-600 employees to the workspace that Oakland County envisions. Not only would this bring critical County services and programs closer to Pontiac residents, it would also return the County’s presence to the heart of the city where it was originally situated before being moved to the border with Waterford 60 years ago.
Earlier this month, the County was authorized by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee to enter into a purchase agreement to:
Purchase Ottawa Tower, 5111 Woodard Avenue, from a private owner
Purchase the currently vacant former GM Building, 31 E. Judson, from a private owner
Purchase adjacent parcels of vacant land from a private owner
Assume the lease for the Phoenix Center Parking Garage, which is owned by the City of Pontiac
The Phoenix Center Parking Garage is owned by the City of Pontiac and leased to the owner of Ottawa Tower and the former GM Building. That lease for the Parking Garage was entered into by the City’s previous administration for a period of 99 years, with stipulations that the “Lessee” would maintain the facility and make structural improvements. Since that time, agreed-upon maintenance and repairs have not been made and the facility is in disrepair and not widely used.
The proposal by the County to purchase the office towers has never included purchase of the Phoenix Center. Any decision made with regard to refurbishing the Parking Garage, or potentially demolishing it, would be made by the City at a future date and would require approval by the Pontiac City Council.
TRANSFORMATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR PONTIAC
This proposed development would exponentially benefit Pontiac businesses and residents by bringing downtown more office workers who will undoubtedly frequent restaurants and retail establishments. It would correct a number of negatives–economic and logistic–that occurred when the County moved its headquarters away from Downtown Pontiac decades ago. It also offers the opportunity to find a permanent solution to the decaying state of the Phoenix Center while potentially restoring public performance space in the heart of our downtown.
While we look forward to this phenomenal collaboration, there are a few variables that have to be determined. The County is currently in a 60-day due diligence period as details of the property are investigated, and funding from the state has yet to be determined. However, if all critical elements ultimately align, and the County is successful in acquiring the properties, we will welcome County employees with open arms back to Downtown Pontiac, which has always been the heart of Oakland County! has always been the heart of Oakland County!