May 3, 2005
The City conducts school board elections in the Lamphere and Madison districts, and a small portion of the Royal Oak District, under a new State Law making Municipal Clerks responsible for school elections.
2004
Construction of the new Fire Station no. 1 and the renovation of Fire Station No. 2 are completed under budget and ahead of schedule. The new, $4.3 million fire hall at Irving and Brush streets is three times the size of the Fire Department's old headquarters next to City Hall.
April 20, 2003
A three-alarm fire destroys 30 vehicles and causes upwards of $4 million in damages at the Department of Public Services facility on Ajax Drive. Officials say the blaze apparently was caused by an electrical problem in one of the vehicles. The facility is rebuilt in four months, eight months ahead of schedule.
August, 2002
Voters approve a $5.9 million bond proposal to finance construction of a new north-end Fire Department headquarters and renovations to a south-end building.
May 21, 2002
Meijer opens a 24-hour retail/grocery store on 13 Mile Road, east of John R, while construction of a 47-unit condominium development continues on the former Frank Lloyd Wright subdivision site.
2002
"The Ramps", a City skate park, opens at Civic Center Park.
2001
City administrators negotiate a tentative agreement to restore the Red Oaks Golf Course, including a $3 million upgrade and host community agreement with the George W. Kuhn Drain and SOCRRA that provides the City $25,000 a year.
2001
Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission approves a $3.3 million upgrade of Red Oaks Water Park, including installation of an "action river", water playscape and expanded sunbathing and eating facilities.
April 2000
The City purchases Gertrude Zielke's house, which will be converted to "The Little House on Hales", a middle school drop-in recreation center the following year.
2000
Working with the Downtown Development Authority, the City installs a clock tower and other "gateway" improvements at the corner of John R. and 11 Mile Roads.
2000
The Charter Amendment and Revision Committee generates a ballot proposal to eliminate local primary elections in the City. Later approved by voters, the measure is expect to save $18,000 in the following election.
