Oakland County commissioners approve $174 million Pontiac renovation with prompt-payment amendment

The Oakland County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a $174,000,000 appropriation for renovation of 31 East Judson and portions of 51111 Woodruff Avenue in downtown Pontiac, including space for county offices, a conference center and related site work, after adopting an amendment requiring faster subcontractor payments.

Supporters said the project is intended to put county employees back into downtown Pontiac and catalyze further private investment. “This is a project that’s been a long time coming,” said Mayor Grama of Pontiac during the meeting’s public‑comment period, urging commissioners to support the plan. Several labor leaders, business owners and community advocates also spoke in favor of the renovation at the public‑comment period, highlighting jobs and downtown foot traffic.

Commissioners heard a staff presentation describing the scope and phasing of the plan. Deputy County Executive Megan Sellers and CFO Brian Leffler joined county staff to outline elements that are included in the appropriation before the board: interior renovation of the existing courthouse building at 31 East Judson, a conference center for county convenings, site development from Judson to Orchard Lake and Saginaw streets, limited solar panels on the tower penthouse, and LEED Silver–level sustainability targets. Sellers said the proposed design anticipates a conference space sized to accommodate…