Phoenix Center Demolition Enters Final Stage in Downtown Pontiac

Crews started knocking down the final section of the Phoenix Center in Pontiac's downtown area Monday. This marks a key point in the city's push to transform its core.

"It excites me because it's progress and it's tangible," said Mike McGuinness, Pontiac City Council President, according to CBS Detroit.

With the concrete stairs coming down, the path is clear for fresh growth. The old GM building on Judson Street will turn into workspace for 700 county staff. Plans call for two new parking spots and a two-acre park.

"Our downtown is a little bit sleepy. We want more foot traffic downtown, and the way you do that is by bringing more employees downtown, which this project will do," said Tim Greimel, Pontiac Mayor.

New homes are on the way too. Building started in April 2024 on one site, with move-ins set for December. A second $80 million plan got state backing to build 300 units just north of Huron Street.

New shops can tap into three types of help. Main Street Pontiac and Main Street Oakland County match funds for storefront updates, while other programs back small shops with cash and technical know-how.

Shop owners split on what's ahead. "In the last few years, since COVID, Pontiac, really, kind of like, went off the radar. But prior to that, it was booming," said Cici Dedaj, manager of M1 Grill, per CBS Detroit.

Karen Platen Jorgensen runs Pontiac's Little Art Theatre & The Green Room Café. She sees good things coming: "Every city that I've seen that's successful is a walkable city."

The tear-down kicked off in early 2025. Work will start on the GM site this year. For the first time in half a century, cars will drive straight through on Saginaw Street.

Oakland Thrive steps up for local shops. "They will give you one-on-one support, counseling, encouragement, connecting you with resources, and it's a great benefit, and their offices have now opened in downtown Pontiac," McGuinness said.