Royal Oak commission orders demolition of vacant building at 1005 North Main after public hearing
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Summary
The Royal Oak City Commission on July 14 voted unanimously to order the demolition of a vacant building at 1005 North Main after staff presented photographic evidence and a hearing officer’s finding that the structure meets the city’s dangerous‑building standard.
The Royal Oak City Commission on July 14 voted unanimously to uphold a hearing officer’s finding that the vacant structure at 1005 North Main qualifies as a “dangerous building” and ordered the building demolished if the owner does not take action.
City building staff told commissioners the structure has a collapsed roof, exposed interior and long history of code‑enforcement complaints dating back to at least 2017; photographs presented to the commission show interior debris and sections of roof that have caved in. Building staff said code enforcement had posted the property, sent certified notices and conducted a hearing on Dec. 16, 2024; the hearing officer’s findings were issued Jan. 29, 2025.
“Based on the photographic evidence and the hearing officer’s findings, this building meets the definition of a dangerous building under the building code,” the city’s building representative told the commission. Commissioners said the city deliberately moves slowly through the dangerous‑building process to provide owners opportunities to remedy conditions before the city steps in.
A family representative for the ownership trust, Aphrodite Nicolaus, said the family has been trying to resolve the situation amid a probate and ailing family member. “We know the building needs to come down and I know whoever buys it is going to knock it down anyway,” Nicolaus said, asking for more time to raise funds or complete a sale.
Commissioners discussed the process and timelines, including the statutory appeal period to circuit court and the city’s obligation to bid demolition work publicly. City counsel and staff said if the commission affirms the hearing‑officer order and no appeal is filed within the appeal period, staff would seek bids and return to the commission to award a demolition contract; any demolition cost would be assessed as a special assessment on the property and could be repaid through normal tax collections before foreclosure is considered.
Commissioner Cola moved to adopt findings that the structure meets the dangerous‑building standard and to order demolition; Commissioner Douglas seconded. The commission voted by roll call: Commissioners Macey (yes), Douglas (yes), Encola (yes), Herzog (yes) and the mayor pro tem (yes). The motion passed unanimously.
The commission and staff told the appellants they would delay active city demolition steps if the owners make demonstrable progress; staff said it will coordinate closely with the family and that the bid/award process takes time. The city indicated it typically seeks qualified bidders and does not always accept the low bid in order to limit neighborhood disruption and ensure proper abatement procedures are followed.
Next steps: staff will wait the appeal period and, absent a filing, solicit demolition bids and return an award recommendation to the commission for approval.
