County Director of Administration Josh Freeman told the Board of Commissioners recently that the property on Chavez Drive is being discussed as a potential new county government campus for motor pool operations, Community Action Resource Department programs, and a new recycling center that would allow residents to drop off hazardous household waste such as automotive fluids, batteries and electronics.

The dairy property was acquired by the Genesee County Land Bank through the tax foreclosure process after Country Fresh, which had acquired it in the mid-1980s, closed its doors in 2009.

Throughout its history, the plant produced milk, ice cream mix, orange juice, cottage cheese and yogurt but was closed and production shifted to other Dean Foods Co. plants in Livonia and Grand Rapids. Dean was the parent company of Country Fresh.

The county’s interest in the property coincides with the reorganization of its facilities and operations department, a plan that calls for the addition of four new employees, allowing for expanded hours of operation and for staffing at the former dairy property.

Commissioners approved the reorganization plan, including the creation of the additional positions, on Dec. 14.

“We’ve had some discussions, and it hasn’t been finalized yet, about the McDonald Dairy site and (moving) certain operations over there,” Freeman told commissioners at the meeting.

Freeman said some hiring would not occur immediately as the county continues planning for the property.