ROYAL OAK, Mich. – The Royal Oak clock tower which has watched over Woodward Avenue for 13 years is in jeopardy of being demolished.
The financially-strapped owner, Fresard Pontiac-GMC, failed to renew the advertising permit with the Michigan Department of Transportation and allowed it to expire.
"I would hate to see it go, It's a city landmark. I always know I am close to home when I drive by it everyday," said Laurie Vance, who lives in Royal Oak.
Images: Royal Oak clock tower
According to the Royal Oak city manager, Don Johnson, MDOT considers the tower an abandoned sign and has ordered it to be torn down.
"The department has no intention of demolishing the clock tower on Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak," said MDOT spokesman Robert Mororsi in a news release. "There is no issue with the clock tower structure. Plain and simple, the permit allowing the previous owner to advertise on the clock tower has expired. The new owner will not be able to advertise on the clock tower as directed by the Highway Advertising Act, which was amended by the legislator in 2006."
The Suburban Collection, based in Troy, is interested in striking a deal to purchase the Jim Fresard Clock Tower, but it wants the approval of the City Commission first. The Suburban Collection is willing to invest in appealing the MDOT law but only if the city of Royal Oak is supportive of their involvement and willing to extend the license agreement, according to Johnson.
"Is it considered an abandoned sign? Yes, because of the clock tower having the electronic screen and the ability to advertise," said Mororsi. "Have we ordered it to be torn down? No. What's blocking the effort of another dealership is the Highway Advertising Act, which according to its language will not grant the new owner a permit to advertise. It has nothing to do with saving the tower. Again, this is a law, not a decision by the department."
On Monday night, the Royal Oak City Commission will consider passing a resolution in support of Suburban Collection, a Troy-based chain of 35 dealerships nationwide that wants to buy the clock tower from a bank that assumed ownership of numerous Fresard properties last year.
The City Commission meeting will be held at 7:30pm Monday at Royal Oak City Hall.