Wayne County Takes Possession of New Criminal Justice Center

County to Begin Transition to State-of-the-Art Facility

Wayne County has officially taken possession of the new Wayne County Criminal Justice Center (CJC), initiating the transition to the modern facility. The County and Bedrock Detroit have completed the key exchange process and the County has taken full control.

The CJC footprint is over 11 acres, comprising over one million square feet across five buildings. The center will house a criminal courthouse, adult, and juvenile detention facilities, more than 1,400 office spaces for various criminal justice departments and agencies, and a central utility plant, consolidating several existing facilities into a single and integrated hub.

“As we take possession of the new Wayne County Criminal Justice Center, we're not just opening a facility, we're ushering in a new era for our justice system,” said Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans. “This center symbolizes our dedication to turning challenges into opportunities and our relentless pursuit of excellence for the benefit of every resident in Wayne County.”

The CJC is designed to streamline numerous court-related processes through automation, such as ticket handling and fine payments. Its integrated IT system is set to enhance access to justice for Wayne County residents, offering advanced solutions like video arraignments, visitations, and remote hearings.

“We are excited about the move to the new Criminal Justice Center as it will increase our ability to serve our resident population, boost employee morale, and showcase the level of professionalism that we operate under,” says Wayne County Sheriff Raphael Washington.

The March 18th turnover date means that the County now has 180 days to move into the CJC and vacate Jail Divisions 1 & 2; the Juvenile Detention Facility, and Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, each of which were transferred to Bedrock in July 2018 according to the terms of the Development Agreement.

“The realization of the Wayne County Criminal Justice Center stands as a significant milestone in the county's ongoing efforts to modernize and improve its criminal justice system, ensuring a safer, more efficient future for all residents,” said James Heath, Wayne County Corporation Counsel.

“The turnover date is Day One for a new era of criminal justice in Wayne County. It is a day that should be welcomed not only by those who will work at the new center but by all Wayne County residents,” Wayne County Commission Chair Alisha Bell said. “For too long, we have administered criminal justice in old, outmoded facilities. Now, Wayne County will lead the state and the nation in providing modern, state-of-the-art facilities. Through our special committee on the center, the commission has kept a close eye on the center and its development. We have worked closely with the executive’s office and all involved parties to make this new center a reality.”

While our end users and transition staff will be focused on these tasks, other County officials will turn their attention to continued discussions with Bedrock regarding disputed financial issues such as environmental costs and other matters. The parties hope to resolve these issues by May 2024.

“Wayne County should take pride in the conversion of a project, once symbolic of waste and inefficiency, now a beacon of excellence. What was a DDOT garage is now a Criminal Justice Center reflecting our commitment to providing the best possible infrastructure for our community,” Evans stated.

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