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Commissioner Glenn S. Anderson's Spring 2017 newsletter
Greetings:
It is my pleasure to provide you with the newest issue of my newsletter update. The newsletter allows the opportunity to provide relevant information on recent developments in Wayne County.
Last October the Michigan Department of Treasury released the county from its consent agreement, which had given the County Executive powers similar to those of an emergency manager, including the ability to impose contract concessions on the county's unions. The improving financial picture is welcome news, although the savings were in part due to concessions made by the unions and from transfers from the Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund, which includes over $180 million that were made available by former Treasurer Wojtowicz, under the previous CEO.
The county received a proposal from Rock Ventures, LLC regarding the stalled jail project on Gratiot Avenue in Detroit. The proposal outlines an arrangement where Rock would build a new jail facility, juvenile detention center and court buildings at a different location in exchange for $300 million, an undefined and uncapped cost savings credit and the Gratiot site. There are positive and negative aspects of this proposal and the commission will review it with an open mind, but I will be doing so with the utmost consideration for its impact on county taxpayers.
The Commission recently approved the property transfer of the county-owned building at 640 Temple Street in Detroit to the County Land Bank, beginning the process of an $11 million sale. This ongoing effort will consolidate county operations into fewer buildings by selling unused and under-utilized property. At the April 20 Commission meeting, we approved the sale of the former Library for the Blind and the former Drain Commission Building. The county continues to market the Kay Beard Building.
At the end of 2016, the "Phase I" portion of the Cherry Hill Road project was completed. The road has been completely resurfaced from Wayne to Merriman. At the time of this writing, the "Phase II" portion of the project is underway, which includes ADA sidewalk ramp repair, signage upgrades and other items not completed in 2016. The project marks a $2.5 million investment.
At the beginning of 2017 I was sworn in for a full term on the Wayne County Commission. I appreciate the opportunity to represent you on the Commission, and continue the challenging work of making Wayne County more efficient, effective and accountable.
Best regards,
Glenn S. Anderson
