PONTIAC, Mich. – Some major changes are underway in downtown Pontiac, beginning with the demolition of the Phoenix Center on Saginaw Street.
City of Pontiac and Oakland County leaders have ambitious redevelopment plans for the area, marking a pivotal moment in the revitalization of downtown Pontiac.
Crews have started removing signage at the old Phoenix Center complex in preparation for the site’s demolition. This project is being referred to as a new redevelopment, revitalization, and reconnection initiative.
“This is the soul of Pontiac,” said Melanie Rutherford, a city council member representing the downtown area. She expressed her excitement about the upcoming changes.
When asked what this means for community members in her district, Rutherford described it as a “game changer.” She acknowledged that many residents are uncertain about the future but are aware that something positive is on the horizon.
“Whenever you have change, people are going to be fearful. But this is a great opportunity for all of us to come together and to right some wrongs,” Rutherford explained.
The redevelopment plan is a collaborative effort involving Oakland County, the city of Pontiac, the state of Michigan, and other stakeholders.
“This is a milestone,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter.
He explained the demolition of the Phoenix Center will enable the city to reopen Saginaw Street, reconnecting it to downtown. As part of the project, two office towers will be added for workers.
“We’re going to move 600 employees of the county into one of the buildings. We’re going to fix up the other building and fill it up with people,” Coulter explained.
In addition to the office towers, county and city leaders announced plans for new parking structures and walkable green spaces. Rutherford mentioned ongoing discussions about adding new housing and a hotel in the downtown area.
“They’re going to be bringing the farmers market down here. They’re going to be bringing new jobs down here. And not only that, they’re going to be bringing ready-made resources in the city of Pontiac,” Rutherford said.
Supporters of the project believe these changes are vital for an area that has faced neglect in recent years. Oakland County Commissioner Angela Powell emphasized the importance of community engagement in the redevelopment process.
“I’m just so excited that Oakland County really invested in taking this project, taking the lead on it, and bringing new aspiration, motivation for this community, because it’s been needed,” Powell stated.
The demolition of the Phoenix Center is expected to take about one year, with Oakland County workers anticipated to move into their new office spaces downtown around September 2027.
County leaders added there will be opportunities for residents to apply for jobs during this project. Job seekers are encouraged to visit Job Seekers | Oakland County, MI.