To address current space issues while also preparing for future needs, Trempealeau County enlisted Venture to design a new government center to replace the outdated and unsafe existing facility. Among the numerous public safety and inmate safety risks with the existing facility layout were lack of secure corridors and lack of physical barriers between inmates and the public, inmates, and staff. The new design corrects the 3-way separation deficiency (Wisconsin SCR 68) between the public, the staff, and the detainees.
Although there were site constraints, we were able to close a street to obtain the full area needed for this project. The new Justice Center is connected to the adjacent existing Government Center and houses the Courts, Clerk of Courts, Sheriff’s Office, and Jail, with a new drive through sally port. The Courts portion features two juried courtrooms, one of which is a ceremonial courtroom, and a non-juried family courtroom. The judicial suite accommodates two judges and judicial support staff. A new courtyard will also be integrated for staff.
Departments in the existing facility will have the opportunity to grow within the existing space. The two juried courts, a hearing court and their related departments will live on the second floor of the new building. The sheriff’s office, jail, jail support and administration will be located on the ground level. The jail will expand to 78 inmate beds when it could only house 30 adult inmates. To create cohesion, much of the material and design elements in the existing facility, such as glass, punched window openings and pilasters, will be mirrored in the new facility.
