The layout of a new law enforcement center will feature a secure, isolated sheriff’s administration area, housing for 175 inmates, adequate parking and an appearance that conforms with the existing courthouse.
These aspects of a design plan were reviewed Nov. 5 by the Oconto County Law Enforcement/Judiciary and Public Property committees, which approved an update of the conceptual site plan prepared by consultant Potter Lawson. The $30 million law enforcement center will be constructed on property north of the courthouse, with construction beginning in August 2015 and completed in late 2016.
“It’s a little bit bigger than expected,” said County Administrative Coordinator Kevin Hamann, “but we’re still in line with keeping construction at or under the $25 million construction cost and $5,000 for acquisition (of properties) and design.”
According to Ron Locast, of Potter Lawson, the aim of the design is to tie the old in with the new, so the buildings look part of each other.
“We want the building exterior to ‘work’ while staying within the budget,” he said. The committee looked at ways to accomplish this, such as peaks over entrances, brick pattern similarities and color.
Committee members also discussed the city’s request for adequate parking. The city requested a minimum of 300 parking spots, and the design shows an estimated 405 parking stalls to accommodate roughly 200 employees plus visitors. Expansive space for parking is expected to eliminate congestion on the surrounding city streets.
Other design features reviewed by the committee:
-The sheriff’s entrance will have a visible presence, since it will be accessible to the public at all hours.
-A large area for evidence storage will be easily accessible to officers and will include an evidence processing room and confiscated property room.
-An enclosed corridor, with no outside access, will allow for secure inmate transfers from the jail to courtrooms.
-The booking area, property storage area and holding cells will be situated adjacent to the sally port for ease of inmate receiving.
-Kitchen and laundry areas are on the north side and are designed to handle the anticipated expansion of the housing pod in the future. The county’s Capital Improvement Plan projected for 2036 includes $8 million for expansion, making space for another 75 inmates.
-The mezzanine in the housing pod will allow for housing inmates on a second level.
-The mechanical equipment will be enclosed on a second level above the jail section, keeping the mechanical systems internal for easy maintenance.
-Three large and two smaller air handling units will be enclosed to reduce noise, and piping runs will be efficient.
-Two chillers will be mounted on the roof and enclosed by walls to help reduce noise.
The county has purchase agreements with 13 of the 14 properties in the area where the new facility will be constructed. Of those 13, 12 will be vacated by the end of this year, Hamann said. One property owned by NEWCAP should be vacated in early 2015, he added. Purchase negotiations are ongoing for the last property.
The committee will meet Dec. 3 to discuss the progress of the property acquisition, and on Dec. 17 to address the design plan.
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