Council directs design work on Justice Center; leans toward two‑story shell (Option 2A)

Architect Denny Bowles presented schematic options, phased uses and cost assumptions for a proposed Justice Center that would consolidate police, court and support functions. Bowles told the council the team produced a range of layouts — single‑story and two‑story options and shell space alternatives for future dispatch or courtroom build‑out — and explained the presentation used a May bond schedule to price escalation: "This is where we are at a point in time," he said, describing assumptions about schedule and cost.

Councilors questioned whether design should start immediately to capture savings and debated whether a shell space should be finished now or left for later; the mayor emphasized the city already has design funds and moved to proceed with Option 2A as a two‑story design and to direct staff to return a contract and public‑notice materials suitable for a November 2026 bond election. Council also discussed procurement method (construction manager at risk versus competitive bidding), temporary courtroom accommodations using shell space, and the tradeoffs of a one‑story footprint versus a two‑story building.