As of 1 p.m. December 5, the Boone County Justice Center Project was officially set underway at the Groundbreaking Ceremony/Press Conference. It is with the upmost appreciation that we thank all those who attended Monday’s event by showing support for the future of Boone County, IN.
Sheriff Mike Nielsen and the Boone County Commissioners provided the following statements:
Sheriff Nielsen stated,
“As the official groundbreaking ceremony is now over it is time to get started on the most important work, construction. Monday, December 5, 2022, was the kickoff of a project that started over 8 1/2 years ago. It is today that we take the successes of our past and create an opportunity for a great
future in law enforcement in Boone County.
The Justice Center project is a state-of-the-art facility that will house the Sheriff’s Office Administration, the Boone County Jail, Boone County Community Corrections, Boone County Probation, Boone County Coroner’s Office and the Boone County Juvenile Probation offices.
The design of the facility supports our overall mission at the Sheriff’s Office to focus on re-habilitation and not incarceration. By adding this additional space, we will be able to provide for better addiction and mental health services, medical services, trade skills classes and so much more. I’m happy to
see this project moving forward, and it will have long-lasting positive impacts for Boone County, IN.
We have had and continue to have a great team assembled to see this project to completion, and I’m proud to be a part of that team.”
Boone County Commissioners stated,
“After many years of planning and working through this much-needed development, we are looking forward to seeing this project finally come to fruition.
Despite some setbacks, we are grateful to see the project make headway. More importantly, we believe this is a critical step to move Boone County into the future. The entire project is expected to last 20-24 months, according to the county’s contractor.
The Commissioners would also like to thank several county offices including the Prosecutor, Coroner, Community Corrections, Probation Services, and others for their valued input on this project.
“This was one of the most cost-effective projects we could do and I’m grateful to see it move forward,” Boone County Commissioner President Jeff Wolfe said. “The new Justice Center will ensure our continued advancement in the overall public safety across our community.”
“This is a generational investment as a partnership between the Boone County Sheriff, Commissioners, and Council,” said Rob Barnes, Hagerman Group’s Director of Government Affairs and Business Development. “This justice center is truly rethinking criminal justice for the community
instead of warehousing people – it values the communication of care to bring people back to becoming productive members of society.”
“As Owner’s Representative, we are honored to provide guidance and oversight to the Commissioners and Sheriff’s Office throughout this entire process,” said Veridus Group’s Jesse Emswiller. “We are excited to see this project push forward and look forward to seeing how it will serve the citizens of Boone County for many decades ahead.”
“When I first met Sheriff Nielsen and the Commissioners, you could tell immediately that they wanted to create a facility unlike any other in the state. They were outside the box thinkers and instantly knew that I wanted to help bring their vision to reality,” said K2M Design President Scott Maloney.
“Together we spent many months pouring over all the details to make this state-of-the-art facility everything the county needs to fulfill its mission for those in its care and custody, as well as the employees and providers that treat them. On behalf of the entire K2M Design team it has been an
honor and a privilege working with Boone County, Sheriff’s Office, Hagerman, GM Development, and Veridus Group on this transformative endeavor.”