Milwaukee County picks builders for $500M courthouse project

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Milwaukee County announced its construction picks for a nearly $500 million overhaul of the downtown courthouse complex.

Gilbane and JP Cullen will be the construction manager at risk for a sweeping project to replace the 100-year-old Public Safety Building, located at 821 W. State St., which county officials, judges and public safety officials said posed dilapidated conditions and cramped quarters at criminal courts. The project will enter preconstruction and conceptual design phases.

“As we look to the future of Milwaukee County’s Courthouse Complex, it’s clear that removing the Public Safety Building and investing in modern, sustainable facilities is essential for delivering positive outcomes for all who interact with our justice system,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley in a statement. “Partnering with Gilbane | Cullen will allow Milwaukee County to develop a state-of-the-art facility that meets the needs of our community today while preparing for the next 100 years. I’m looking forward to this partnership creating construction jobs and delivering results for Milwaukee County residents.”

The firms will be tasked with demolishing the structure and building a new safety building. The current Public Safety Building was constructed in the 1920s and holds criminal courts, holding and jury facilities for Milwaukee County cases. Over the years, judges and officials said the building doesn’t meet the standards for state courthouses and the design causes delays and risks.

Recent cost projections landed around $490 million. In January, the county announced AECOM would perform architectural planning and design for a multi-year replacement project. The National Center for State Courts and Continuum Architects joined the project team as well.

Gilbane and JP Cullen were the construction manager at risk for several Milwaukee County projects such as the Marcia P. Coggs Health and Human Services Center, the penguin and rhino exhibits at Milwaukee County Zoo and the Milwaukee County Secure Residential Care Center for Children and Youth.

Construction could start as early as 2027, officials said. Work is likely to continue through 2031 or 2032.