ROYAL OAK, Mich. – Royal Oak drivers will be relieved to hear the city is getting rid of the disastrous back-in parking situation downtown.
The back-in, angled parking spaces were created because of meters on Washington Avenue between 4th Street and Lincoln Avenue. The meters needed to be able to read license plates, and since Michigan doesn’t require plates on the front of cars, drivers were required to back in.
That 2021 plan created a traffic nightmare as drivers tried to back into the spaces. Some residents avoided driving to the area completely because of the mess.
On Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, Royal Oak city officials announced that PK Contracting of Troy will begin repainting the parking lines on Monday.
“Washington parking will now have the same design and process as our other downtown streets, offering a more straightforward user experience,” Royal Oak City Manager Joseph Gacioch said. “Parking will be fast and easy, which is exactly as it should be."
Free parking through holidays
Once the lines are repainted, the pull-in parking spaces will be free through Jan. 2, 2026.
This applies only to the former back-in spaces on Washington Avenue, between 4th Street and Lincoln Avenue. Other parking in Downtown Royal Oak will remain metered and paid.
Drivers will know which spots are free because the meters will be covered.
“If you haven’t been downtown recently, consider this our invitation to you,” Gacioch said.
More changes for Downtown Royal Oak parking
Royal Oak approved a new parking system with ParkMobile and Flowbird over the summer. That new technology will be installed from late November through December.
The new system is expected to launch on Jan. 2.
“The names ParkMobile and Flowbird may sound familiar, and that’s with good reason,” Royal Oak’s release says. “ParkMobile is widely used throughout our area, including in Detroit and Birmingham. The same app is used for all -- so if you’ve used ParkMobile to park for a game in Detroit, you’re already set.
“Similarly, Flowbird meters are used in Detroit and Ferndale, and are highly rated for their ease of use. The meters were overwhelmingly favored by users during a series of technology-testing open houses held by the City in May.”