Kent County officials have renegotiated the lease agreement for the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place.
Monday, January 25th the centrally located West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place began distributing COVID-19 vaccines. A collaboration between the Kent County Health Department, Spectrum Health and Mercy Health. At that time, the goal was to distribute 20,000 vaccines a day.
The clinic was announced January 22nd and the price-tag was not made public at that time.
“The cost is going to be significant. The cost of not doing it is also extraordinary.”
Dr. Adam London is Director of the Kent County Health Department. He explained the expenses will be shared.
“The county has acquired the lease for that property and we do have some assurances from state and federal officials that they are going to do what they can to fund this.”
The terms of the lease; $12,000 per day.
Kent County, the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority and SMG/ASM Global have since renegotiated the lease retroactive to January 18th.
Kent County Administrator Wayman Britt said the starting point was a one-month agreement and the costs were unknown. In a news release Britt explained, “Our objective at that time was to get a temporary agreement in place so we could open the clinic and get shots in arms. After our first 15 days of operation, we are better able to assess actual space and operational needs as well as hard costs associated with using the convention center for this unprecedented purpose.”
The new deal makes the convention center rent-free. It’s the daily operational costs Kent County must pay; utilities, janitorial, maintenance, security and EMS services.
As vaccines become more available, its estimated 140,000 residents will receive vaccines weekly.
The new lease expires March 31st and parties can renew it on a month-to-month basis.