Wayne County Jail problems worsen

More than a half-billion dollars of taxpayer money may be the cost

DETROIT – More than a half-billion dollars of taxpayer money could be the cost of solving the Wayne County Jail problem.

This would include the failed Wayne County Jail project on Interstate 375 and the move to the former state prison on Mound Road.

The Ficano administration is considering three different proposals.

Aecom, the company that is being sued for the failed project, is proposing a project that would cost $350 million in exchange for settling the lawsuit.

Another company, CGL, is offering another proposal for a half-billion-dollar project including the Mound Road location.

The breakdown of the cost would be:

Paying for the Failed Jail: $157 million.
New Jail: $181 million.
New Sheriff's Office: $7 million.
New Courthouse: $190 million.

"This is an absolute disaster. I mean, we have no good option here." said Wayne County Commissioner Shannon Price.

The Ficano administration is planning to take several weeks discussing all the options.


About the Author:

Rod Meloni is an Emmy Award-winning Business Editor on Local 4 News and a Certified Financial Plannerâ„¢ Professional.