photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Treanor Architects and J.E. Dunn Construction met with Douglas County Commissioners to discuss the the expansion of the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center and the development of the new Public Safety Building on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.

Douglas County commissioners will have a lot to think about – like expanding parking, updating restroom fixtures or adding a solar panel system – as the expansion of the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center and the development of the new Public Safety Building move forward.

On Wednesday, county commissioners heard from Treanor Architects and J.E. Dunn Construction about possible “alternates,” or additional features, for the JLEC and the Public Safety Building projects. These portions of work are priced separately from the base bid and can be added to or deducted from the project, and that means commissioners have more to decide about the project’s final scope.

Some of the “alternates” being considered for the JLEC building are adding a parking lot between the JLEC building and the historic courthouse; adding upgraded fixtures and finishes to the main lobby public restrooms; and adding floating PV panels on the roof. For the Public Safety Building, commissioners will be considering whether to increase the square footage of the building being built in the first phase of the project; add parking lots to the southeast and north sides of the building; and mount a solar panel system on the building site, among other considerations.

photo by: Screenshot

The schedule of “alternates,” which are potential work additions to the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center and Public Safety Building project.

Associate Principal of Treanor Architects Chris Birkenmaier told commissioners that the JLEC would have fewer parking spaces after the addition, but the new parking should help alleviate the shortage. Commissioner Karen Willey asked the firms to provide more information at a future meeting about the number of parking spaces that would be freed up after departments move from the JLEC to the Public Safety Building.

Additionally, commissioners had questions about the solar panels that may be built on the Public Safety Building site and the output of power for these systems.

Commissioners will consider all of these “alternates” and are expected to vote on them in December. The architecture firms did not provide cost estimates for these additions, but they plan to provide them the next time they meet.

As the Journal-World reported, the firms have met with county commissioners multiple times this year to discuss the project’s progress. In August, the two firms provided commissioners with an estimated total cost of $76,765,398.

The JLEC building, home to the District Court, District Attorney’s Office, emergency communications and management offices, Sheriff’s Office, IT office and building maintenance staff, will undergo an expansion on its south side. This addition will provide additional space for more courtrooms, judges’ chambers, conference rooms and other facilities.

photo by: Screenshot

The estimated construction budget for the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center and the Public Safety Building.

Adjacent to the Douglas County Jail, the new Public Safety Building will serve as the central hub for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the 911 dispatch center, and the county’s emergency management operations.

At the December meeting, commissioners will be presented with the total project costs and a guaranteed maximum price for the project.

The construction on the JLEC building is expected to begin in January 2025. Renovations to the building are expected to begin in summer 2026 and be completed in summer 2027. The first phase of construction on the Public Safety Building – which includes 911 and emergency operations – will begin in spring 2025 and is expected to conclude in spring 2026.

In other business, commissioners:

• Awarded a contract to Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc. for the replacement of culverts along Route 1061, East 2200 Road, from North 700 Road to North 900 Road, in the amount of $1,971,515.92.

• Took no action on a legislative priorities statement in preparation for the 2025 Kansas legislative session, which will begin in January. The statement is intended to highlight key priorities and issues that the county wants local legislators and lawmakers across the state to address; commissioners wanted more time to refine the statement before approving it.

• Held an executive session to discuss “personnel matters of nonelected personnel and for consultation with the county counselor.”

photo by: Contributed

The outside of the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center
(JLEC) with the renovations and addition.

photo by: Contributed

An architectural rendering of the public entrance to the Public Safety Building.

photo by: Contributed

An architectural rendering of the staff entrance to the Public Safety Building.