Royal Oak Demolished Fresard Clock Tower

The 44-foot landmark has been removed due to safety concerns regarding its structural integrity.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Isometric editorial illustration of a partially dismantled masonry clock tower with exposed internal steel beams, conveying urban infrastructure maintenance. — The city of Royal Oak has begun dismantling the Fresard clock tower at W. Harrison and Woodward avenues due to structural safety concerns. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The city of Royal Oak has begun the dismantling of the Fresard clock tower located at W. Harrison Avenue and Woodward Avenue. The structure, which has stood since 1999, was removed after becoming a public safety hazard due to dislodged metal and masonry.

Why it matters

The removal addresses long-standing maintenance issues that posed risks to residents and commuters. After taking ownership of the site via tax foreclosure in 2022, the city determined that the deteriorating tower was no longer viable for restoration.

The 44-foot landmark stood for 27 years before its removal. The demolition was authorized through a $74,426 bid against a total project budget of $85,000.

The players

City of Royal Oak

This local municipal government holds jurisdiction over city infrastructure and public property maintenance.

Salenbien Trucking and Excavating, Inc.

This company is the contractor responsible for the physical demolition and removal of the clock tower structure.

Fresard Investment Limited Partnership

This organization was an original partner in the 1999 agreement to construct the clock tower.

The details

Crews are currently working to clear the site at the intersection of W. Harrison and Woodward, a process expected to take several days. Once the structure is fully dismantled, the city plans to level the ground and plant grass seed to maintain the property.

The clock tower was originally built in 1999.
City commissioners voted to remove the structure in March 2018.
Royal Oak officially gained ownership of the tower in 2022.
The commission approved the formal demolition contract on June 22, 2026.
Demolition work was underway as of October 13, 2026.

Market Landscape

The city's assumption of ownership through tax foreclosure follows standard municipal practices for abandoned private assets. This transition shifts the site from private commercial oversight to municipal management to address safety liabilities.

Drivers and pedestrians in the area should anticipate construction activity as crews clear the site over the coming days. The removal eliminates the risk of falling debris, improving local public safety for those passing through the Woodward and Harrison intersection.

The takeaway

The demolition of the Fresard clock tower marks the end of a 27-year landmark presence in Royal Oak. Residents can expect the site to be converted into a simple grass lot with no immediate commercial or public infrastructure plans currently in place.