Wayne County Reaches Deal On Stalled Detroit Jail Project

DETROIT (AP) - Wayne County officials say a settlement agreement has been reached that could restart work on a stalled Detroit jail project that went wildly over budget.

County Executive Warren Evans' office said Thursday the deal brokered with AECOM Services and Ghafari Associates, parties to the original lawsuit, was approved by county commissioners. It paves the way for the engineering and design contractors to develop two plans and cost estimates for finishing the unfinished jail.

The contractors will pay for plans, inspections and evaluations of the existing structure and estimates if the county decides to proceed with a redesigned jail. Plans and estimates are due by Feb. 29, and project costs are capped at $175 million.

The county says it can pursue or reject either plan, and refile the lawsuit if costs exceed the maximum.

Construction halted in 2013.