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Detroit News
Detroit – Big changes are coming to Wayne County’s criminal justice facilities. Detroit-based developer Bedrock has announced plans to start demolishing several old buildings near Greektown as soon as the county moves into its new complex in early September.
Wayne County is leaving behind two jails, a juvenile detention center, and the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice courthouse. These relocations will be completed by Labor Day when the county shifts to its new Criminal Justice Center at 5310 Russell Street. This new center is conveniently located near I-75 and E. Warren Avenue.
Bedrock owns these buildings thanks to a 2018 deal with Wayne County. Back then, Bedrock agreed to construct the new criminal justice complex about two miles north from Greektown in exchange for the existing facilities. Bedrock’s CEO, Kofi Bonner, mentioned in an email, “We expect to begin demolition and clearance activities later this year.”
Bedrock’s new holdings encompass a sizable area, spanning about five blocks. The company also possesses several properties there, including the old Detroit Police headquarters at 1300 Beaubien Street, a historic building designed by Albert Kahn. Moreover, Bedrock owns the 14-acre site where Wayne County’s previous attempt to build a jail fell through due to cost overruns and delays.
This empty site on Gratiot Avenue was initially poised to become a $1 billion mixed-use development. The ambitious project was to be anchored by a Major League Soccer stadium and high-rise buildings. Those plans were dropped in favor of a $300 million “innovation center” proposal, involving partnerships with the University of Michigan and development firm Related Cos.
Now, Bedrock is setting its sights on business development opportunities to revitalize downtown Detroit, turning the former jail site into a vibrant area. “The site on Gratiot provides an opportunity to continue to augment and enhance downtown Detroit,” Bonner highlighted. “We are now working on business development efforts to develop and animate an area that will provide enhanced opportunities to grow the local economy and attract talent through innovative partnerships and focused investments.”
The first phase of the University of Michigan Center for Innovation in District Detroit is already under construction, marking a significant step forward in the area’s transformation.
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