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Milwaukee County updates supervisors on multi‑year Investing in Justice courthouse complex project
Summary
County leaders and the judiciary gave a detailed update on the Investing in Justice courthouse complex project, covering community engagement, programming, funding options, site selection and next steps; the committee voted to receive and place the report on file.
Milwaukee County officials and the chief judge briefed the Committee on Community, Environment and Economic Development on the Investing in Justice courthouse complex project, reporting on stakeholder engagement, programmatic planning, funding outreach and early site recommendations.
Chief Judge Carl Ashley, who chairs the project’s advisory committee, said tours and stakeholder engagement have reinforced a unanimous view that the Public Safety Building and related facilities must be replaced. Ashley introduced county project staff and consultants and emphasized the project’s aim to create a safe, accessible courthouse complex aligned with restorative and equity‑centered practices.
Ashley Adsett, director of Project and Performance Management in the Office of Strategy, Budget and Performance, described the advisory and work‑group structure and said the project is in early master‑planning and conceptual design phases, working closely with consultants. Kyle Ashley (County Executive’s Office) summarized community engagement and listening sessions at locations including Saint Augustine Preparatory Academy and Washington Park Library, and said the process has centered mental‑health considerations and on‑site service linkages.
Aaron Hertzberg, Director of Administrative Services, reviewed project finance: the board has committed $15 million to capital planning and programming so far (about $9 million under contract), the administration submitted a federal earmark request for up to $6 million, and the governor’s February budget included a $25 million allocation for the project. County staff said they are pursuing a mix of state, federal and county funding and are advocating for fiscal “uniformity” with other Wisconsin counties because Milwaukee County carries unusually large state‑mandated costs that limit local discretionary capacity.
On a motion by Supervisor Shea, the committee voted 5–0 to receive and place the report on file. County staff said they expect to return with another informational report in September and will continue community engagement and legislative outreach.
