Detroit developer Dan Gilbert has put a long awaited offer on the table for Wayne County. Gilbert wants to build a $1 billion soccer stadium and entertainment district where the unfinished jail has been sitting idle for years. Unbelievably, it’s costing taxpayers nearly $1 million a month. But now Gilbert has weighed in with an ambitious and bold proposal that the county and key downtown stakeholders should carefully consider.
His Rock Ventures company is offering to build a new state-of-the-art criminal justice complex for $420 million on East Forest Avenue. In exchange he wants $300 million from the county and a tax credit for the savings. The county has said it would cost $300 million to complete and renovate the current Gratiot Avenue site.
The devil will be in the detail if this is a good economic swap for the county. There is no question that the area Gilbert has his eye on is the downtown gateway to the millions he has already invested in Detroit’s comeback. He deserves credit for his leadership, vision and daring commitment. Gilbert’s new collaboration with Detroit Pistons’ owner Tom Gores is another big plus for the city.
But County Executive Warren Evans and the commission must also remember that they have been elected to be the watchdogs for the taxpayers who have already been burned once on the new jail construction. If the Rock Venture proposal makes sense, pursue it. If it doesn’t, don’t be afraid to pass on the offer.
In a proposal of this magnitude, let full transparency be the guiding light. At stake is the people’s trust, future private investment and Wayne County’s long-term financial stability.
I’m Mike Murri, Vice President & General Manager
Broadcast: February 9 - 12, 2017
