Washington County releases preliminary image of proposed public safety building
Washington County officials released a preliminary image of its proposed public safety building and judicial center planned to replace the Courthouse Square office complex, while also approving a $12.5 million bond to partially fund the project.
The artist's rendering produced by Pittsburgh-based WTW Architects shows a small parking garage facing South Franklin Street in Washington with what appears to be a split-level four-story building constructed into the hillside with a protective walkway connecting to the county courthouse.
The image was made public during Thursday's commissioners meeting as they hired NAI Burns Scalo to serve as the project's general contractor.
Commission Chairman Nick Sherman said the 70,000-square-foot complex will provide a booking center and space for public safety and court filing row offices. He added that the rendering is only a preliminary snapshot of what the building might look like before construction bids are expected to be put out in February.
"This new facility aims to unify public safety personnel, including the Sheriff's Department, parole services, and county medical and mental health resources, alongside the court system," Sherman said in a written statement. "By doing so, we will prioritize treatment for individuals in crisis rather than simply incarceration. A proposed diagnostic booking center will effectively address the needs of criminal defendants facing challenges such as addiction, mental health issues, severe medical conditions, or who fall into vulnerable categories like seniors, juveniles, or females."
During their bimonthly voting meeting Thursday afternoon, the commissioners also decided to incur general obligation debt to help pay for a portion of construction, with Sherman and Commissioner Electra Janis voting in favor of taking the $12.5 million bond, while Commissioner Larry Maggi voted against the motion.
A day earlier at the board's workshop meeting Wednesday morning, Maggi asked why there was a need to borrow money to build the new public safety building and judicial center.
"We're going to borrow money for the new building?" Maggi asked.
"It's a great (interest) rate and we're borrowing if it's needed for the new public safety building," Sherman said, adding that they hope to use federal American Rescue Plan Act money for the bulk of construction. "It's a tool in the toolbox. (The bond) provides us a little security if the ARPA funds are not allocated in time."
ARPA funds must be earmarked for use no later than the end of this year, and must be spent by the end of 2026. The county also hopes to use the federal stimulus funds for demolition of the Courthouse Square building to make way for the public safety and judicial complex. Bids to raze the 1970s structure are expected later this month with demolition tentatively planned for January, Sherman said.
"The county is poised to use available federal funds for this vital project, while actively pursuing additional grants and appropriations to ensure that there is no financial impact on our taxpayers," Sherman said. "Investing in this project not only enhances public safety but also champions our commitment to effective treatment."
The estimated cost of the project was not released.
Also during the meeting, Maggi raised concerns about how the decision was made to use ARPA money to provide a $116,744 grant to the Mel Blount Youth Home organization.
"I have some concerns about the process of distributing the ARPA money. We need to have a definitive process to discuss these projects, such as this one," Maggi said about the lack of public discussion over how they decide which groups should get a share of the remaining funds. "I know there are a lot of other ARPA requests out there throughout the county, but we do not discuss them. We need to have a transparent, fair method to do that."
After Maggi finished speaking, the commissioners unanimously approved the grant request.
