Jail and Justice Center Public Engagement Session in Freeport April 16th

(KNSI) — Stearns County is holding a public engagement session today regarding the upcoming jail and justice center project.

The session is from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Freeport Community Center and is open house style, so the public can come and go as they please.

The sessions are designed to update residents on the progress, show design concepts, and get feedback. The proposed four story structure is approximately 482,000 square feet and has space for 270 jail beds, 11 courtrooms, the law library, Sheriff’s Office, County Attorney’s Office, Emergency Management, and other justice-related spaces. Although the Board approved moving ahead with the design, Commissioners emphasized that adjustments could still be made to building size or components to be included.

The next session is April 30th at the Great River Regional Library in downtown St. Cloud.

Groundbreaking is expected in the spring of 2026. The county is fronting the project cost through borrowing, which will be repaid over time using a 3/8-cent sales tax. Retailers began collecting the levy on April 1st.

Learn more about the project by clicking here.

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