County completes investment‑grade audit for Hall of Justice upgrades; Millig to present next week; annex remediation nearly done

County staff reported that the investment‑grade audit (IGA) for the Hall of Justice building is nearly complete and will form the basis for design and scope for an HVAC and electrical systems upgrade.

A staff project update explained that the current Hall of Justice mechanical system includes a large boiler, cooling tower and multiple hot‑water heaters; the IGA will provide a complete design package and a projected energy‑savings estimate. Staff said electrical panel upgrades are also included because some panels do not meet current code standards. Lauren Donnelly, vice president of Millig (project manager), was invited to present a high‑level overview to the board next Wednesday.

Staff said the IGA will identify the full scope of work and estimate energy savings that could offset project costs. "It's going to have the complete design of the whole project, but also kind of tell us all the nuts and bolts of what we've been dealing with there," a staff member said.

In related facilities work, staff reported the annex building remediation (tear‑out and cleanup) is nearly complete and the project will move to rebuild phases under risk management oversight. Staff said the annex will include office areas for the Office of Public Defense (OPD): five ancillary office spaces at the Hall of Justice first floor and additional ancillary space at the jail to support client meetings. Staff said the majority of the planned annex suite will be occupied by OPD staff.

Why it matters: the IGA is the design and financial basis for major capital upgrades to a critical county facility; the annex work and OPD office allocations affect where public defenders meet with clients and where staff are housed.

Ending: Millig’s presentation is scheduled next Wednesday; staff invited board members to attend weekly project meetings for deeper briefings if desired.