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Consultants present jail‑site Justice Center option; Elevatus cites $18.9M estimate, says $16–17M feasible
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Summary
Consultants from Elevatus showed two courthouse/probation layouts at the jail site and a one‑story alternative, giving a conservative construction estimate of $18.9 million and saying they could reduce that to about $16–17 million; commissioners debated whether to pursue that near‑term option or keep seeking a downtown solution.
Consultants from Elevatus presented concept plans and cost estimates March 24 for a proposed Justice Center that would co‑locate superior and circuit courts with the probation department near the county jail.
Elevatus showed two siting options adjacent to the jail and a single‑story alternative. “They felt that we could comfortably get this down to 16 to 17,000,000 of construction cost,” Elevatus representative Dave Scholl told the board, while noting the firm’s current, conservative construction estimate was $18.9 million and soft costs, furniture and financing would raise total project costs toward a $20 million figure.
Why it matters: commissioners have long sought a durable solution for courthouse space, ADA access and secure courtroom arrangements. Supporters argued a jail‑site build could be delivered sooner and straightforwardly address courtroom security and probation access; critics said a narrow, minimal project would not solve broader needs such as community corrections and other judicial offices.
Commissioners and stakeholders pressed several tradeoffs. The mayor warned the apparent $20 million quick‑fix could be misleading. “That $20,000,000 is really 35 money,” the mayor said, arguing additional moves (relocating clerk, prosecutor and public defender) could push total costs far higher. Several commissioners agreed the jail‑site option solves near‑term courtroom and ADA concerns but asked staff to return with a downtown alternative cost estimate so county council has a direct comparison before making funding decisions.
Elevatus outlined functional details including a two‑story option with courts on the first floor and probation on the second, and a one‑story layout with a drive‑through vehicle sally port. One concept used a footprint roughly 128 by 210 feet (about 26,880 square feet). Elevatus also recommended building with future expansion infrastructure in mind so the complex could add pods or interior shell space if demand grows.
Next steps: commissioners asked Elevatus to prepare additional drawings and cost options, including a downtown proposal that could be phased. The board emphasized it would present needs to county council—who control fiscal decisions—and asked for a defined time frame for the downtown comparison before pursuing a specific procurement or funding path.
Ending: No binding decision was made; the presentation ended with direction to return with alternative cost estimates and refined soft‑cost projections for the next planning step.
