Stearns County gets 50% design check for Justice Center; officials flag potential utility cost and set public engagement plan

Stearns County staff told the Board of Commissioners that the Justice Center design has entered the mid‑development phase and the project team expects to deliver 50% design development drawings to the builder this week for a check estimate.

Kevin Kornick, head of facilities, said the 50% package will let the builder validate earlier value‑engineering reductions and provide a more complete cost check. “At the end of this week, the architect is due to the builder a 50% design development plan, which is really gonna serve as a check drawing,” Kornick said.

Staff reiterated major program assumptions: the jail component is planned for 270 beds, the court tower is being designed as four floors, and the secured shooting range remains in the program. Kornick said the project team is pursuing competitive quotes for detention cells and detention hardware and has scheduled manufacturer tours to expand the vendor list.

A central budget risk is extending utilities from the site to existing city…