Oak Park Kicks Off $2M Facelift of 11 Mile Water Tower District

Construction teams started work on Oak Park's 11 Mile Water Tower Social District, launching a $2 million makeover. The project pulls money from city coffers, Oakland County backing, and local improvement funds.

New features will transform the space with fresh paths, twinkling lights, spots to sit, and places to play. A striking mural and fire pit will add to the space. While work goes on, the back lot will stay closed to cars until fall.

"It definitely has its inconveniences, but nothing you wouldn't expect from construction," Kyle Gierada, owner of Dog and Pony Show Brewing, said, per WXYZ.

This marks big changes for the area, which once housed industrial sites. Main Street Oakland County put up $900,000, while Oak Park's improvement group added $1 million. The city picked up the rest of the bill.

Business has shifted during construction. Brooke Zadorsky runs Mother Handsome and sees mixed results. "There were a few times that we were pretty worried, where, all of the sudden, where its empty in here, but there's been days where it seems like the harder it was to get in, the more people were coming in," said Zadorsky.

Shops now fill most spaces in the district. Erik Tungate, who manages the city, thinks this marks just the start. "We're just getting started. There's more to come, but it's great to see progress is being done, and there's nothing that says progress more than shovels in the ground and dirt being moved," said Tungate.

The lot opens back up in November 2025. Workers aim to finish everything by 2026.