Next Stearns County Justice Center To Be Built Outside of Downtown

(KNSI) – Stearns County commissioners made progress on a new jail at a work session Friday morning.

Administrator Mike Williams says the board was able to reach a consensus on relocating the facility outside of downtown St. Cloud. “So, the decision to move to a greenfield site was made, and the design for the project is going to move ahead based on that.”

Williams says the choice will allow for a cost-effective and potentially permanent solution to the issue.

“Being on a greenfield site, we’ll be able to build a one-story jail, which saves many dollars in operating costs. And if there’s a need for growth in the future, we’ll have that ability to grow, which we wouldn’t have downtown.”

Ballot language will need to be finalized by next month. Voters will decide on a 30-year sales tax to fund the justice center later this year.

Williams says not to expect too many more details until the schematic design phase is completed, likely after the election. No location has been selected yet, but it must be in the county seat, St. Cloud. It could be an existing location within the city limits or a site that would be annexed into St. Cloud before construction begins.

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