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Committee approves 7-year lease for Indigent Defense Services at Fort Washington Plaza
Summary
Wayne County Committee on Public Services approved a 7-year lease (with annual renewal option) for 13,195 square feet at Fort Washington Plaza to consolidate the Indigent Defense Services Department into a single floor at a reduced rate of $17 per square foot.
Wayne County’s Committee on Public Services voted Sept. 9 to approve a seven-year lease agreement with ID 4 LLC for 13,195 square feet of office space at the Fort Washington Plaza building for the county’s Indigent Defense Services Department.
Committee members were told the new space is effectively turnkey and would allow the department to consolidate staff currently spread across two separate suites in the Guardian Building onto one floor. Greg Hurst, director of facilities management and planning, said, “They currently occupy 2 suites here in the Guardian Building on 2 separate floors. So for efficiency's sake, there really wasn't space available here within the Guardian to put them all on 1 floor and make their operations more efficient.”
The lease rate for the Fort Washington space was stated as $17 per square foot; commissioners compared that to the current chargeback rate at the Guardian Building, approximately $32.50 per square foot. The committee heard the agreement is structured as a seven-year term but with annual renewal by the tenant based on funding: “The 7 year deal is more locked into the rate, but it's an annual renewal for them,” Hurst said.
Robin Dilarusso, director of Indigent Defense Services, described staffing and operational benefits: “We had 11 additional positions because, remember, we had vacancies from carryover. So now we'll be able to have every employee on the same floor.” Committee members also confirmed the department’s parking arrangement will remain at the First Street parking garage; Hurst said the new space is closer to that garage than the department’s current location.
Committee members asked about lease type and costs. The committee was informed the lease is gross, with taxes and common charges included in the monthly payment. Commissioners also confirmed the county will not pay a finder’s fee from the Indigent Defense budget; that cost will be charged to 333 Westport, the county’s facilities account for such charges.
Members discussed funding timing; staff said the county is awaiting authorizations from the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) that will allow continued spending of existing funds and eventual fiscal 2026 contracting. Hurst said staff have coordinated with the county CFO on necessary internal fund transfers to complete the transaction.
The lease approval was included in a bundled motion to approve items 2–13 on the agenda. Commissioner Baydoun moved and Commissioner Palamara supported the motion to receive and file item 1 and approve items 2–13; the motion carried.
The consolidation is expected to reduce per‑square‑foot costs for Indigent Defense Services, provide room for recent position increases, and keep the department within the central business district, according to staff comments.
