Welcome to Wayne County, Michigan

In late 2009, Wayne County government moved its central administrative offices into the historic Guardian Building, located at 500 Griswold Avenue in the heart of the central business district in downtown Detroit. Designed by renowned architect Wirt C. Rowland and opened in 1929, the Guardian Building combines uncompromised historical and architectural beauty with modern amenities that make it an ideal location to conduct business. Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano’s decision to purchase, renovate, and consolidate county operations in the Guardian Building was based on the county’s long-term financial needs, and the need to modernize county government. Wayne County had operated in an unfavorable lease at the Old County Building for more than 20 years, pouring millions of dollars into a structure that the county would never own. Furthermore, because of the historical nature of the Old County Building, the county was unable to make upgrades to the building that would help the county and its workers better serve its residents. With the purchase of the Guardian Building, Wayne County has an asset on its books that is saving taxpayers $2 million dollars per year compared to the lease at the Old County Building. Renovation of the Guardian Building also included many green features including:

• Motion sensors on lights throughout the building
• Recycling stations, located on every floor
• Low-water flush systems in bathrooms, and
• Reduction and consolidation of the number of copiers, fax machines and printers

Remaining mindful of the building’s historic qualities, Executive Ficano also upgraded the building’s technologies. Among the many upgrades were

• Video conferencing technology to reduce travel expenses;
• High efficiency monitors to reduce energy costs and provide greater versatility than projectors;
• The replacement of 3,500 land-based phone lines with Voice Over IP; and
• “Right Fax”” to allow for electronic faxing

Put together, the purchase of the Guardian Building will save taxpayer money, enhance the work environment for Wayne County employees, and help the county better serve its constituents. For more information on the historic Guardian Building, go to www.guardianbuilding.com.

 

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