Media Contacts:

Jim Martinez, 313.967.1357

jmartinez@waynecounty.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 29, 2017

WALSH CONSTRUCTION, ROCK VENTURES SUBMIT FINAL JAIL PROPOSALS

Evans Administration to Pursue Best Option as Part of Dual Track Strategy

DETROIT Yesterday, Wayne County received two final proposals as part of Executive Warren
C. Evans dual track strategy to resolve the unfinished jail project. Walsh Construction
submitted its response to the Countys Request for Proposal (RFP) to complete the unfinished
jail at Gratiot while Rock Ventures submitted its comprehensive enhanced proposal to
construct a new Criminal Justice Center on land currently owned by the City of Detroit and
adjacent to the original East Forest location proposed by Rock.

Following Executive Evans dual track strategy, the County Commission previously approved a
number of due diligence contracts, which allowed Walsh to complete its response to the RFP
while the administration vetted Rocks initial proposal. While awaiting Walshs response, the
County worked diligently with key stakeholders to provide Rock with input on what is needed in
a new Criminal Justice Center to adequately meet the Countys needs resulting in the enhanced
proposal received yesterday.

The goal was to provide the County with alternative solutions to the jail project and weve
done that. Were finally able to fully evaluate the proposals and pursue whats best for Wayne
County, Executive Evans said. Well work diligently to move this forward as quickly as we can.
Just like everyone else in Wayne County, Im tired of talk. I want the jail project resolved.

Walshs proposal includes two jail options at Gratiot, with approximately 1,608 beds at $269
million and 2,200 beds at the cost of $317.6 million. Rock Ventures proposal offers to build the
County a new Criminal Justice Center with a 2,280 bed jail, criminal courthouse, prosecutor
offices, sheriff administrative offices and a juvenile detention facility at an approximate cost of
$520.3 million with the County responsible for $380 million plus the cost of acquiring the land
and Rock responsible for cost overruns. The proposed site of the Criminal Justice Center is on
approximately 13 acres of land owned by the City of Detroit bounded by the I-75 Service Drive,
E. Warren Ave., E. Ferry, Russell and Frederick.

After evaluating the two proposals, Executive Evans will recommend which one the County
moves forward with. That recommendation is expected by late July. Whichever proposal is
selected will require extensive negotiations to determine if a final contract can be reached. If a
contract is reached, it must be submitted to the Wayne County Commission and Wayne County
Building Authority for approval.
 Media Contacts:
Jim Martinez, 313.967.1357
jmartinez@waynecounty.com

The logic has always been clear to me. Its not about soccer and its not about politics. Its
about a county, with very real fiscal limitations, financing a desperately needed jail which has
already cost taxpayers millions, Executive Evans said. This decision is solely about whats best
for Wayne County.

Rocks initial proposal was to build the County a 1,600 bed jail, criminal courthouse, prosecutor
offices, sheriff administrative offices and a juvenile detention facility on an alternative site, if
the County paid the first $300 million and an undetermined amount for operational savings.
Rock estimated the cost of the project at $420 million and promised to cover any cost overruns.
Rocks initial proposal included an option to increase the jail to 2,000 beds, but required the
County spend an additional $43 million above the $300 million.

Under Executive Evans leadership, the County restored fiscal stability positioning Wayne
County to finance a solution to the jail project. The County eliminated structural and
accumulated deficits totaling about $134 million and exited a consent agreement with the State
of Michigan after only 14 months. It also posted back-to-back budget surpluses, reduced
unfunded health care liabilities by about $1 billion, and increased pension system funding from
45% to 54%.

The IRS decision relating to the appropriate use of jail bond proceeds on an alternative site to
Gratiot remains pending. Without a favorable decision from the IRS, no agreement between
the County and Rock to construct a Criminal Justice Center on an alternative site is possible.
The County, however, is optimistic that the IRS decision will not result in an insurmountable
obstacle to this project and therefore will still consider Rocks proposal an option.

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