Exciting New Criminal Justice Center Set to Open Doors in Detroit

After a rocky 13-year journey, a fresh and shiny criminal justice complex is finally set to open in Detroit. Replacing old and sometimes hazardous conditions, the new center promises to deliver safer, more efficient spaces. The new space, located on Russell Street north of Warren Avenue, is being prepared to open its doors on September 3. The five-building facility will house courtrooms, offices for county prosecutor, sheriff, adult and juvenile detention facilities.

The exciting new space is the largest construction project in Wayne County history and comes at a price tag of over $500 million. The state-of-the-art building, spanning over one million square feet, aims to alleviate many of the pressing issues of the county’s criminal justice system. The complex is seen as a solution to the difficulties posed by some jail cells which are nearly 100 years old.

The daunting project has faced some hurdles along the way, including a costly “failed jail” venture a decade ago, which saw plans for a new jail abandoned after going $90 million over budget. Nonetheless, due to a deal struck with a private developer in 2018, the dreams for a new criminal justice center have been realized.

New Chapter for Wayne County

Starting from September 3, this shiny new criminal justice center will be home to the county’s main jail, juvenile detention center, 26 courtrooms, and headquarters for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. The Prosecutor gushes about this long-awaited change in setup by stating that it is user-friendly, brings them into the 21st Century, and houses approximately 1,700 county personnel.

The new justice center has a more than adequate provision for parking, offering over 2,000 parking spaces free of charge for staff and visitors. All criminal justice entities will be located under one roof so you’ll never have to leave the complex. It is a huge step in providing a higher level of service for the community.

Worker Shortages in the County

However, the path to this project’s completion was not all smooth as it also had to deal with worker shortages that hit the county’s criminal justice system particularly hard. The sheriff’s office faced a shortfall of as many as 195 vacancies for corporal positions.

But hopes are high for this new development. Many are eager to see whether the new facility will keep its promise of a fresh start with better working conditions and improved systems.

Plans for Old Facilities

As for the properties that the county is leaving behind, there are plans to demolish at least some of them later in the year. As these older buildings make way for the new, it marks a promising step towards redevelopment and enhanced opportunities to grow the local economy.