Muskegon County moves to publish bond notice for campus renovations; officials outline phased bids and timelines

Muskegon County officials presented a multi‑phase plan on Jan. 14 to renovate county campus space and consolidate administrative services, and the Ways and Means Committee voted to publish a notice of intent to issue up to $9.5 million in general obligation limited tax bonds to pay for portions of the work.

The presentation by Steve Fink, public works engineer and project manager, and Jason Vetteney, principal architect with DLZ, outlined five bid packages covering mechanical upgrades, technology and card access, renovations for clerk/vital records and finance offices, public health and MSU Extension space, and spaces for the treasurer and register of deeds. The county has already board‑approved and ordered long‑lead mechanical equipment for bid package 1, Fink said, and staff plan to bid the remaining packages after finishing design.

"At that time the report came back with a recommendation of up to $30,000,000 of improvements," Fink said, summarizing an earlier facilities condition assessment that prompted the county’s work. He told commissioners the county closed on the campus in 2022 for just under $10 million and subsequently began identifying departments that could move from other buildings into renovated campus space.

Nut graf: The committee approved publication of a bond notice that starts a statutorily required public notification and referendum window; it does not obligate the county to sell bonds. County staff said the funding will allow the county to finish renovations that staff and department leaders say are needed for functional clinic and public‑service space and to consolidate operations to reduce the number of county‑owned buildings.

County staff and the architect emphasized functional upgrades over…