Design of the new Stearns County Jail and Justice Center is Fully Underway

(KNSI) – Design of the Stearns County jail and justice center is fully underway.

The Board of Commissioners got a look at an initial design for the building on January 7th. On January 28th, architects came back with a second, slightly scaled back design/version, removing a level for courts, which will now be four stories instead of five. This resulted in saving 27,501 square feet and $11 million. The estimated cost of the building as proposed is $308 million, not accounting for rebates or other discounts. The money will come from a voter approved 3/8th cent sales tax, for which collection started April 1st.

The building will be approximately 482,000 square feet and will include a modern jail with 270 beds and healthcare facilities, 11 courtrooms spread across four floors, offices for the Sheriff, County Attorney, and Emergency Management, plus the law library and other justice services. The design includes elements from other county buildings, including a rotunda entrance, light dome-like features, granite pillars, marble and granite finishes in highly public areas, and terrazzo floors.

Staff are looking at a 78-acre site off County Road 75 and 134, of which 68 acres are buildable because of wetlands. Property acquisition is already underway.

Bids for the project will be approved in August with the second bid package released in either December or January. Groundbreaking is set for next spring with an estimated completion date of 2029.

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