Berks County officials say regional youth detention plan got backing in Lackawanna; design work underway
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Summary
County COO Kevin Barnhart reported staff presented a Regional Youth Detention Center concept in Lackawanna County and received unanimous support; design work with USA Architects is advancing and discussions with Lehigh County continue.
Kevin Barnhart, Berks County chief operations officer, told commissioners Feb. 27 that county staff traveled to Lackawanna County to present a Regional Youth Detention Center concept and received unanimous support there.
Barnhart said the county is pursuing a regional approach because “we certainly can't have our own stand alone juvenile detention center because of the numbers just don't justify it.” He told commissioners that staff expect final documents with Lehigh County within one to two weeks and that the county is moving forward with USA Architects for final design and renovation documents.
Barnhart described the presentation as a ‘‘tremendous effort’’ and noted positive responses from local partners who participated in the Lackawanna presentation, including chief financial and judicial leadership there. Commissioners praised staff for the outreach and regional coordination.
Why it matters: Berks County officials say numbers do not justify a standalone facility, so a regional facility shared among counties would centralize services and capital costs; the county is preparing design and renovation documents to move the project forward.
Next steps: Barnhart said the county hopes to complete final documents with partner counties soon and offered to attend Lehigh County’s meeting if requested.
