Committee reports bill to transfer Standish prison property for public sale

The House Local Government and Municipal Finance Committee voted to report House Bill 5820, a land‑transfer bill intended to move the Standish maximum correctional facility from the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) to the Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB) so the property may be put up for public sale and repurposed.

Ryan, legislative staff for Representative Hoadley, described HB 5820 as “a simple land transfer bill” that would allow the region to repurpose the vacant facility and put it to use for community needs. Kyle Kaminsky, legislative liaison for MDOC, provided a brief history: the prison opened about 1990, served until 2009 and has been maintained but not significantly upgraded since its closure. “We thought the time was right to declare it surplus and start it through this process so that it could have a more beneficial use to the local community,” Kaminsky said.

Neil, legislative liaison at DTMB, said the department follows a routine real‑estate process that requires legislative authority to sell state property. He told the committee that there are currently no offers and no appraisal has been completed; DTMB typically completes an appraisal after a successful bid and negotiation. “No restriction originally. We've had no offers. We don't take offers proactively until it's listed for sale,” Neil said.

Representative Preston moved to report HB 5820 with recommendation; the clerk recorded the vote and the bill was reported with recommendation. The committee had no public comment cards on this bill at the time of the meeting.

Next steps: With the committee report entered, HB 5820 will move forward as set by House procedure and the property would be conveyed and listed for public sale only after the state administrative board and required steps are completed.