The construction of the new Monroe County Justice Complex is projected to continue into 2029, with completion expected in March 2029, according to an update provided by Scott Carnegie, a project manager from DLZ, the architectural firm handling the project. Carnegie presented the timeline during a Monroe County Council meeting on Tuesday.

Anticipated Timeline and Key Phases

Carnegie shared that contractor bids for the project are expected to be received by May 2026, with construction set to begin shortly thereafter, around July 2026. The construction phase will progress into 2029, at which point the building is expected to be substantially complete. Carnegie will formally present the pre-design phase of the project at the Monroe County Council and Board of Commissioners’ joint session on Thursday, where the next step will be approval for the formal design phase. Subsequent phases of the project will be up for approval on April 30 and September 25, 2026.

New Justice Complex and Jail Features

The county made significant strides toward this project after purchasing a 52-acre property for the new complex located between Ellettsville and Bloomington, approved at a cost of $11.375 million in November. The property acquisition was authorized by the Monroe County Commissioners in October. The complex will house not only a new jail but also court space, a new sheriff’s office, and additional facilities for the justice system.

Carnegie mentioned that the new facility is intended to address over two years of delays and more than a decade of concerns regarding the conditions of the current Monroe County Jail, which had been described as insufficient for the growing needs of the county.

Project Costs and Financial Details

The estimated hard construction costs for the new jail complex are expected to be just under $81 million. The total cost for the project will likely range from $91.5 million to $106 million, according to a study by RQAW Corporation, which considered additional expenses like shared costs for a new roadway and an expansion of the local wastewater treatment plant to support the new facility.

Community Concerns and Opposition

Not everyone in the community supports the project. Some local leaders in Ellettsville are concerned that the location of the new justice complex could negatively impact the town’s economic development. Additionally, members of the anti-incarceration advocacy group Care Not Cages have expressed their opposition, suggesting that the county should focus its resources on community-based programs and mental health services instead of building a new jail.

The Monroe County Council and Board of Commissioners will hold a joint meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Monroe County Courthouse, where the pre-design phase will be formally presented, and further discussions on the future of the project will take place.

Local Economic and Social Impact

The construction of the new Monroe County Jail is expected to have a significant economic impact, both in terms of the job creation during construction and the long-term operational needs of the facility. However, the project’s impact on local communities, including Ellettsville and Bloomington, continues to generate significant public discourse. The complex will be an important part of the county’s justice infrastructure, addressing current jail overcrowding and facility deficiencies.

As the project moves forward, it will continue to face scrutiny from local residents and community groups advocating for alternatives to incarceration. The county will need to balance the infrastructure needs with the social and economic concerns raised by these groups.

Originally reported by Jack Forrest in indiana Daily Student.