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Macomb County commissioners approve elevator design amendment while safety concerns over jail project glass anchors linger
Summary
After a public commenter and several commissioners raised alarms that contractors used quarter‑inch tapcons instead of specified half‑inch structural anchors on the county’s jail curtain wall, the board approved a professional services amendment for elevator design 7–4 and said it will follow up with inspections and contractor notification.
The Macomb County Board of Commissioners voted 7–4 on June 11 to approve a professional‑services agreement amendment for the county jail (the 'CIA' project) that covers additional elevator design work, even as public speakers and multiple commissioners pressed officials to investigate alleged improper glass anchors on the facility.
Christian Spate, who identified himself as representing Metro Detroit Glazers Local 357, told the board the installer Environmental Glass used quarter‑inch tapcons — which he described as "light duty masonry screws" — instead of the manufacturer's specified half‑inch grade‑5 structural bolts. "The half inch grade 5 structural anchor has a shear strength of over 12,000 lbs per anchor," he said, contrasting that with a quarter‑inch tapcon "only rated for 1,200 lb," and asked the board for "a full inspection of all anchors installed on the CIA project, removal and replacement of any non‑compliant fasteners, and accountability for all contractors who knowingly deviate from the manufacturer's requirements." (Quote condensed from speaker remarks.)
Commissioners debated how the concern related to the item on the floor. Several said the specific agenda item — 9B — was for extra engineering on elevator shafts rather than the glass work, but they agreed the anchor claim merited follow‑up. Commissioner Hall said he would vote no, citing experts' warnings: "I'm going to vote no because we've been put on notice that there could be serious safety concerns here by the individuals that do this for a living." Commissioner Craft and others urged approval of the elevator design amendment while pursuing inspections and contractor notification.
Chair Joe Sabatini said the elevator design item was the basis for his vote and that he has a meeting on the project scheduled for Tuesday to discuss the concern and next steps; he also noted the project is currently about 45% complete. The motion passed 7–4, with Commissioners Haw, Pera, Romano and Wallace recorded as voting no.
The hearing did not include responses from the contractor named by the public commenter. Commissioners and staff said they would follow up with the project team and the executive’s office to determine whether an independent inspection or corrective action is required and to confirm whether any substitution or RFI (request for information) had been submitted.
Next steps recorded in the meeting: commissioners asked staff and the executive’s office to raise the issue promptly with the project team; Chair Sabatini indicated it would be discussed at his Tuesday meeting on the project. No formal corrective action nor contractor response was recorded in the meeting minutes.
Why it matters: The county has invested substantial public funds in the facility, and commenters and several commissioners argued that structural and safety standards for a detention facility should be strictly met before construction advances further.
