Douglas County green lights new Law and Justice Center

BRIDGEPORT – During one of his regular monthly reports to a City Council meeting last year, Douglas County Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal told council members about the need for the county to build a new facility for law enforcement use.
This month, Jordyn Giulio, Douglas County Records and Risk Manager advised in a media release that the county is moving ahead with construction of a new Law and Justice Center that will be located in East Wenatchee.
The new 17,898 square foot facility that will be build adjacent to the Public Services Building on 19th Street will house the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, District Court, Juvenile Probation, IT Infrastructure and future Coroner. The completion date is targeted for spring 2019.
Construction costs are estimated at $8 million and will come from existing revenue streams. County cash reserves will cover half of the costs. Current Expense Funds and Real Estate Excise Tax revenue combined with previous dollars used to rent evidence storage space will be applied to the project. The County will issue bonds for the remaining balance and proceeds from the sale of the existing law and justice facility will pay down the bonds.
The existing facility on Second Street is earmarked for about $1 million in repairs to the roof, HVAC system, carpeting and safety upgrades. That structure will then be sold when the new Law and Justice Center comes on line.
“The new Law and Justice Facility will serve to create a collaborative, cooperative and effective campus for both the public and employees of Douglas County,” the media release said.
The new facility is expected to meet the needs of Douglas County law enforcement for the next 50 years.