Detroit Bankruptcy Breakthrough: Regional Water Authority Moves Forward

One of the most politically treacherous proposals of Detroit's bankruptcy plan has finally gained approval—a regional water authority.

1 minute read

September 10, 2014, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"Detroit cleared another potential roadblock in bankruptcy court Tuesday, with a deal between the city and Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to create a regional water authority," reports Steve Pardo, Robert Snell, and Darren A. Nichols.

"Lawyers for Wayne and Oakland counties told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes they will drop their opposition to the city’s bankruptcy exit plan now that a plan has been hammered out for a Great Lakes Water Authority. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel also backed the water deal."

Here's what the reports have discovered about the terms of the deal so far: "The city will lease infrastructure to suburban communities in exchange for a 40-year, $50 million annual fee and an annual $4.5 million payment assistance fund. It’s not clear exactly how much each county will contribute, but officials said the money already exists within the system and rate increases will be capped at 4 percent over the next 10 years."

The plan still requires approval by the Detroit City Council or Emergency Mayor Kevin Orr must still approve the proposal by October 10.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014 in The Detroit News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view image of strip mall in suburban Duncanville, Texas.

Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall

A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.

6 hours ago - Parking Reform Network

Blue tarps covering tents set up by unhoused people along chain link fence on concrete sidewalk.

Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work

Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.

July 6 - Next City

Aerial tram moving along cable in hilly area in Medellin, Colombia.

In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle

Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.

July 6 - InTransition Magazine