County commissioners say Guardian Building cigar-lounge concept not part of current lease proposal; EDC oversight questions raised

Guardian Building property manager Shannon Haight told the Wayne County Commission that a proposed tenant amenity that briefly included a cigar lounge is not part of the lease terms submitted to the commission and is not expected to move forward.

Haight, identified herself as property manager at the Guardian Building, said the idea of a 1,500-square-foot cigar lounge on the 30th floor was one of several “pot‑shot” ideas used during negotiations to retain a large tenant. "There is no status at this time," she said, and staff submitted the tenant proposal to the tenant and to the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) without the cigar lounge included.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the lounge raised concerns about ventilation, public access and the EDC's authority to manage county property. Several commissioners said they expect to be notified if the EDC pursues any change that would permit smoking indoors at a county facility.

Commission discussion and staff responses

Commissioner Kenlock opened by asking whether a cigar lounge was being planned. Haight said the concept had been discussed internally as an amenity to retain an executive tenant but was not required in the submitted proposal. "The cigar lounge was not a part of that proposal to the tenant," she said.

Commissioner Peterson Mayberry asked for the address of a comparable facility, the Murphy Telegraph Building, and Haight identified its location as “two buildings down this way on Congress,” near the London Chop House. Commissioners also asked about completed building renovations; Haight said the parking-structure restrooms and elevators are completed.

Commissioner Baydun pressed on ventilation and access, noting safety concerns if a cigar lounge were open to the public. Haight said each floor’s HVAC is independent and that the proposed tower space’s ventilation is not connected to other floors. She said property staff would ensure any future lounge met city code and use air scrubbers if needed. "The ventilation that's on this floor is not connected to the ventilation in my office on 16. They're all individual per floor," Haight said.

EDC authority and commission oversight

Mary Parisian, assistant commission counsel, explained that the EDC is a quasi‑governmental corporation with its own board, bylaws and articles of incorporation and that the EDC manages the Guardian Building under the county’s bond documents. "The EDC was given over management of the Guardian Building in the bond documents," Parisian said, and she recommended a formal management agreement between the county and the EDC to clarify expectations.

Commissioners sought assurance they would be notified if the EDC or its board considered a change that would permit a cigar lounge. Commissioner Kinlock, who serves on the EDC board, said she would notify the commission as an information item if the proposal returned to the EDC.

Outcome

No formal action to permit or deny a cigar lounge was taken. Commissioners voted earlier to receive and file notices on the agenda that included this item; the committee carried that procedural motion.

Ending

For now, staff said the cigar-lounge concept is not part of the current lease offer and is not expected to be included going forward; any future proposal would be taken to the EDC board and the commission expects to be informed if the EDC pursues the idea.