Oakland County forwards Endeavor Pontiac development agreement to finance after debate over design, buy-local rules and pay terms

Oakland County commissioners voted to recommend to the county finance committee a development agreement with Endeavor Pontiac Partners LLC that would fund construction of two parking garages and related site work in downtown Pontiac. The committee approved forwarding the measure after extended presentation by county staff and questions from multiple commissioners; the motion passed 5-2.

County officials said the project is framed as a redevelopment, revitalization and “reconnect” effort intended to improve downtown Pontiac’s walkability and to support county operations. “This is not a construction project. This is a strategic investment,” said Megan Sellers, deputy county executive, during the presentation, describing the partnership as a public-led effort to attract private development and restore connections across the site.

The agreement covers two garages: a seven-level “South Deck” with 610 spaces and a five-level “North Deck” with 429 spaces, according to slides presented to the committee. County staff said the South Deck would be prioritized so county tenants in the nearby 51111 building would retain parking during construction. Presentation materials shown to the committee also identified about 2 acres of vacated county-owned land included in the memorandum of agreement tied to the project and conceptual locations for future mixed-use, townhome and hotel development adjacent to the garages.

Bridal Leffler, the county chief financial officer, told commissioners the financing approach would use limited general-obligation-style bonds backed by the county’s general operating millage (a “full faith and credit” pledge). Leffler said debt service for the new bonds is being timed to dovetail with bonds that will retire in 2027 so residents should not see a tax-rate increase attributable to the project. The county’s finance team also said an allowance for recent tariffs and cost escalation was built into the budget and that the bonding resolution includes language permitting the county to reimburse itself from general funds before bond issuance.

Project documents attached to the county resolution include a form of development agreement already signed by the developer team, design exhibits, a project cost schedule and a construction timeline. Staff emphasized two contract clauses added at the county’s request: (1) a prompt-pay clause requiring payment to approved contractors/subcontractors within five business days of county approval of invoices; and (2) monthly public reporting on project activity. Sellers told the committee those terms were intended to support small businesses, county-based vendors and minority- and women-owned firms in Pontiac and Oakland County.

Endeavor and its consultant team joined the presentation. County staff named several members of the developer team and technical advisors attending, including Peter Munson of PMCO and Randy Roth, and referenced engineers and architects on the team.

Commissioners pressed on multiple topics during the roughly three-hour discussion: procurement and subcontracting opportunities for local firms, the effect of global steel/rebar tariffs on project costs, whether first-floor retail should be incorporated into the North Deck (staff said adding retail would add roughly $6 million because of additional structural requirements), pedestrian connectivity and “desire-line” walkways, how transit and existing bus stops will be integrated, security needs around an active demolition site, the possibility of condominiuming or subleasing deck floors in the future and whether the decks could be designed to accommodate future uses (for example, EV charging and vertical elevator/charging stacks). Commissioner Johnson repeatedly pressed on rebar and tariff risk and on pedestrian design; Commissioner Woodward asked about ownership and long-term maintenance; several commissioners urged first-floor retail where the deck fronts public space.

Pierre (project technical lead) and county staff said the development team had already held community engagement events and planned additional outreach; staff noted a town-hall-style meeting with city and project representatives scheduled in the coming week near the Phoenix Place Apartments to address demolition impacts and tenant questions. Sellers said the county and developer will continue community engagement and that the project team has created a project webpage and local outreach channels for feedback.

The committee moved the item to finance on a voice vote after debate. The recorded committee tally reported in the meeting audio was five yeas and two nays.

The agreement will return to the Board of Commissioners for final approvals required for bond authorization and any future authorizations needed to sell or condo out floors. Staff said they expect further design, procurement and bonding steps to return to the board before construction begins.

Why it matters: County staff and the developer framed the work as a catalytic public investment intended to unlock private redevelopment in Pontiac’s downtown while ensuring county operational needs (employee and tenant parking) are met. Commissioners’ questions focused on the balance between maximizing immediate county utility (parking for county tenants) and fostering street-level activity that supports retail and long-term downtown vibrancy.

What’s next: The measure was forwarded to the county finance committee for consideration of the bonding request and the formal financial resolutions required to issue county-backed debt and to reimburse preliminary expenditures; additional board votes will be needed to issue bonds and approve final contract execution.