County committee recommends expanding sublease to Oakland Community Health Network for more crisis-center space

Oakland County’s infrastructure committee on Jan. 8 recommended that the full Board approve Amendment No. 1 to expand the sublease with Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN) to additional floor space in Building 32E.

Paul (staff) and Trisha Zizumbo, identified as chief operating officer for OCHN, described plans to use the space to expand the resource and crisis center and to broaden the county’s crisis continuum as part of OCHN’s strategic plan. Zizumbo said OCHN is operating under a 30-year lease and has secured some legislative funding to support construction. County staff noted the original sublease (2012) involved bond financing and that any future sale of the building would need to account for outstanding bonds and tax-exempt status.

Commissioner Johnson asked whether the county might consider selling the building if OCHN occupies the entire facility; staff said that option could be examined once bonds are paid off but that site-access and bond constraints complicate any immediate sale. The committee voted 7–0 to recommend the amendment to the Board.

What happens next: The recommendation will go to the full Board for final action; staff expect OCHN to proceed with vendor selection and build-out planning if approved.