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Florida DJJ announces new Hillsborough juvenile detention center; groundbreaking set for Feb. 25
Summary
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Eric Hall said state funding was approved to replace the aging Hillsborough juvenile detention center; designs show a roughly 35,040-square-foot, single-story facility with indoor recreation and classroom space and a planned groundbreaking Feb. 25.
Secretary Eric Hall of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice told the Hillsborough County Public Safety Coordinating Council on Jan. 17 that the state has funded a new juvenile detention center for Hillsborough County and that a groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Feb. 25.
Hall said the project moved through site planning and that the governor’s recommended budget and the legislature approved funding after the department included the project in its Legislative Budget Request. He described renderings and initial design goals: a single-story center of roughly 35,040 square feet with classroom space built into the structure, an indoor recreation area (the design target includes at least a half-court gym), and six housing modules. Hall said the site will be off Falkenberg on property already hosting residential programs and that the building will be designed to withstand a Category 5 storm.
During the presentation Hall said the facility would “accommodate up to 90 youth.” In subsequent discussion the floor plan shows six modules with up to 16 youth each; when asked directly about beds, Hall described the six modules and the configuration that would total up to 96 beds. Hall and staff said the design and final budget remain subject to final pricing and planning and that the department intends to finalize floor plans in the coming 30 to 60 days.
Council members asked technical questions about elevation and backup power. Hall said architects considered site elevation and that initial foundation plans call for a raised foundation (the team discussed an elevation increase “anywhere between 10–12 inches” from existing grade in the presentation). He also said each facility will include a full standby generator and fuel arrangements appropriate to the campus; the department will coordinate fuel logistics as part of site planning.
Hall said the project is the first new juvenile detention center building the department has built in more than 25 years and emphasized an intent to incorporate current research and design elements that improve staff and youth safety and program delivery. He invited council members to the groundbreaking and offered to distribute full renderings and floor plans to interested parties.
The council did not take a vote on the project at the meeting; Hall requested further engagement and said the department will provide invitations and additional materials.
