Another Milestone For New Justice Center

The City of Indianapolis has received three final proposals from companies that want to build, operate and maintain a new justice center in Marion County.  

It was almost a year ago when Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard announced plans for the Marion County Justice Center, a modern, efficient complex that would house criminal courts, detention facilities and offices for public officials that are now scattered across the city.

On Monday, the city made public the request for revised proposals from three companies that bid to build and operate the justice center, telling them it would not spend more than $50 million a year.  The final plans from the three international bid teams include specifics on financing, design and construction.

David Rosenberg, the city’s director of enterprise development, says this marks a major milestone for the project.

"It really proves that this project can be completed at no net cost to taxpayers," Rosenberg said. "We can build an architecturally efficient building that increases safety for all who have to use the criminal justice functions without increasing cost to tax payers."

He says that’s because $50 million a year is less than what taxpayers now spend on running the facilities. That figure does not include the cost of staffing the justice center.

A bipartisan committee will conduct a financial and technical evaluation and a developer will be selected next month. 

The winning team will build and operate the facility during a 35-year contract. Bids and costs are being kept confidential until a finalist is chosen. 

The proposal will be introduced to the City County Council in January.  The complex would be built on the site of the old GM stamping plant on the near west side, and construction could begin next year.