County Administrator Ron Gabrielsen will answer questions about a new judicial center plan the county has been pursuing in a series of public meetings this week and next week.

Monday, April 08, 2002

County Administrator Ron Gabrielsen will answer questions about a new judicial center plan the county has been pursuing in a series of public meetings this week and next week.

The sessions this week are scheduled at 6 p.m. Thursday and 1 p.m. Friday. There will be one more meeting at 8 a.m. Wednesday next week. All of the meetings will be held at the county boardroom on the lower level of the courthouse.

The county board approved last month a concept design of the new facility and designated the Boarman, Kroos, Vogel Group to develop a schematic design. The $20 million project includes a 117-bed jail, three courtrooms, dispatch center, and law enforcement offices.

The center will be built by expanding the current law enforcement center to the south by vacating Pearl Street and demolishing the Western Grocer Building.

The Albert Lea City Council will discuss the Pearl Street vacation today at its meeting, while the county will take bids for demolishing the Western Grocer Building on April 17.

The county also has started exploring ways to fund the project. If the county sought to issue general obligation bonds, it could be necessary to hold a public referendum.