A huge eyesore in downtown Detroit could soon be gone - the jail project could be finished as Wayne County finances are in the midst of a turnaround.
The project site has been rusting and sitting idle for almost 3 years.
When Warren Evans was elected as the new Wayne County Executive just over a year ago, he inherited a mess, including the jail – an albatross in his own words.
Evans told the Detroit City Council he’s erasing the red ink, now running a budget surplus in the county.
Evans said the structural deficit of $52 million is gone, so is the $82 million accumulated deficit. County employee pension funds and fringe benefit deficits are also improving.
Evans has done it with employee concessions and transfers from the delinquent tax revolving fund.
With the improved finances, Evans says they can get the financing to finally finish the jail project. He is expected to announce his plan within a few weeks.
