Oakland County approves property purchases, SRF-backed bonds and brownfield actions
May 14, 2026 | Oakland County, Michigan
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Oakland County moved forward on several economic‑development and infrastructure actions, approving property purchases, bond authorizations and brownfield plan changes recommended by staff.
County staff recommended buying a replacement facility for the sheriff’s storage operations (Executive Hills property). Staff said buying the facility (roughly $11.3 million plus about $1.7 million in upgrades) is financially preferable to renting because amortized debt service plus the tax‑exempt status produces a shorter payback window; the administration noted improvements will be needed (doors, fencing, IT/camera work) and plans to include repairs in the county capital plan. Commissioners asked whether existing county structures could be repurposed; staff said no suitable garage/warehouse exists on campus and that the current leased facility has structural and safety problems.
Separately, the board approved purchase of 48150 Grand River Avenue in Novi for the 52‑1 district court. Court administrator Alexander Black and staff said the building suits operational needs and that buying the site could save about $3.2 million over an 18‑year horizon compared with leasing, largely through lower debt service and elimination of property taxes as an expense.
The board also authorized issuing bonds to support a Clean Water SRF‑assisted sewer replacement project in Pontiac (principal forgiveness plus low‑interest loan) and a Drinking Water SRF project for lead service line replacement in the Pontiac water distribution system; staff said ratepayers in the Pontiac service area will repay the loan and that the SRF program provides favorable financing.
On brownfields, staff asked the board to abolish two completed brownfield plans (1200 Auburn Road in Pontiac and 149 E. 14 Mile in Clawson) after those projects paid back earlier than the original capture periods; once abolished, tax increment revenues revert to the normal taxing jurisdictions. The board also terminated a brownfield plan at 204 W. New York (Pontiac) because the developer (Community Housing Network) could not make the capital stack work; the property had been tied to the county land bank and termination clears the site for future applicants.
All items passed by recorded voice votes.
What’s next: Facilities and finance will produce capital‑project cost estimates (roof, RTUs) and incorporate needed repairs into the capital plan; procurement and property teams will follow through on closings and SRF documentation.
County staff recommended buying a replacement facility for the sheriff’s storage operations (Executive Hills property). Staff said buying the facility (roughly $11.3 million plus about $1.7 million in upgrades) is financially preferable to renting because amortized debt service plus the tax‑exempt status produces a shorter payback window; the administration noted improvements will be needed (doors, fencing, IT/camera work) and plans to include repairs in the county capital plan. Commissioners asked whether existing county structures could be repurposed; staff said no suitable garage/warehouse exists on campus and that the current leased facility has structural and safety problems.
Separately, the board approved purchase of 48150 Grand River Avenue in Novi for the 52‑1 district court. Court administrator Alexander Black and staff said the building suits operational needs and that buying the site could save about $3.2 million over an 18‑year horizon compared with leasing, largely through lower debt service and elimination of property taxes as an expense.
The board also authorized issuing bonds to support a Clean Water SRF‑assisted sewer replacement project in Pontiac (principal forgiveness plus low‑interest loan) and a Drinking Water SRF project for lead service line replacement in the Pontiac water distribution system; staff said ratepayers in the Pontiac service area will repay the loan and that the SRF program provides favorable financing.
On brownfields, staff asked the board to abolish two completed brownfield plans (1200 Auburn Road in Pontiac and 149 E. 14 Mile in Clawson) after those projects paid back earlier than the original capture periods; once abolished, tax increment revenues revert to the normal taxing jurisdictions. The board also terminated a brownfield plan at 204 W. New York (Pontiac) because the developer (Community Housing Network) could not make the capital stack work; the property had been tied to the county land bank and termination clears the site for future applicants.
All items passed by recorded voice votes.
What’s next: Facilities and finance will produce capital‑project cost estimates (roof, RTUs) and incorporate needed repairs into the capital plan; procurement and property teams will follow through on closings and SRF documentation.
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