The Stearns County Board of Commissioners approved moving forward with design development for the County’s new Justice Center.
Architects and consultants presented a schematic design for the new facility. The proposed structure is 510,000 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. The design includes a one-floor jail with tiered housing units and an area for inmate health care. The Sheriff’s Office will have public-facing offices, and training areas on the first floor and offices on the second. Courts will have five floors, with courtrooms on each level. The estimated cost of the building as proposed is $319.7 million, with rebates and other discounts reducing the final cost to $315.5 million.
The design also incorporates a few elements consistent with other county buildings, including a rotunda entrance, a light dome-like feature, granite pillars, and some terrazzo floors, and marble and granite finishes in select highly public areas.
Although the Board approved the design presented, Commissioners emphasized that adjustments could still be made to building size or components to be included. The approval allows architects to proceed with design development, which will provide more accurate cost estimates, and keep the project on schedule for bidding this fall. Commissioners acknowledged that some components might be delayed or removed depending on the final budget, while also keeping future growth in mind.
“We want a facility that is effective, efficient, forward-thinking, and fiscally responsible”, said County Commissioner Tarryl Clark.
Commissioner Perske voted against the proposed design noting that he didn’t think the project was headed in the right direction.
In the November election, Stearns County residents approved funding the project through a sales tax, capped at $325 million. Commissioners are pushing to keep the project moving, as delays result in a higher price tag.
“We committed to using no levy dollars for this facility, and we must adhere to that,” added Clark. “Delays increase costs, and could jeopardize our ability to complete the facility within the sales tax budget.” Inflation has already added $9.3 million to estimates over the past year.
Board Chair Jeff Bertram stressed the importance of transparency throughout the process. “We want to ensure there are no surprises. It’s critical that we have all the information as we move forward.”
Commissioners also reviewed the project’s construction schedule:
• Jan. 7, 2025: Design and construction schedule approval.
• April 2025: Release the first bid package.
• August 2025: Approve bids.
• December 2025/January 2026: Release the second bid package.
• Spring 2026: Groundbreaking.
Property acquisition for the Justice Center is currently under way. Staff are looking at a 78-acre site off County Road 75 and 134, of which 68 acres are buildable because of wetlands. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2026.