News Summary
Milwaukee County has selected Gilbane Building Co. and J.P. Cullen & Sons Inc. as joint construction managers for the $500 million Public Safety Building replacement. This project, part of a comprehensive redevelopment plan, aims to upgrade the courthouse complex. With the design phase in progress and construction expected to start in 2029, the project’s completion is projected for 2032. The new facility will replace the obsolete building, enhancing public safety infrastructure in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Milwaukee County has officially chosen Gilbane Building Co. and J.P. Cullen & Sons Inc. to serve as joint construction managers for the upcoming $500 million replacement project of the county’s Public Safety Building. This partnership was announced on Monday as part of a significant initiative aimed at modernizing the County Courthouse complex.
The two construction firms, one based in Rhode Island and the other in Wisconsin, will work under a “construction management at risk” model. This approach allows them to provide valuable consulting during the design phase, ensuring effective planning, and also enables them to act as the general contractor during construction, operating under a contract with a guaranteed maximum price.
The existing Public Safety Building, located at 821 W. State St., was constructed in 1929 and has since been deemed both obsolete and hazardous. These serious deficiencies have resulted in safety risks and delays within the local justice system, necessitating the urgent replacement of the facility.
This replacement project is a significant element of a broader multi-year redevelopment plan for the courthouse complex. The overall estimated cost for this endeavor is between $490 million and $500 million. Currently, design work is underway, with renowned global firms such as AECOM and NORR, along with Milwaukee-based Continuum Architects, leading the architectural planning efforts.
The design phase of the project is projected to continue through 2027, with construction expected to commence as early as 2029, extending into the early 2030s. Despite the advancement into the design stages, the project has encountered delays in funding and recently required budget adjustments to facilitate ongoing design efforts. Although full funding for construction has yet to be finalized, county officials plan to seek necessary funding during the 2027 budget cycle.
In addition to the replacement of the aging facility, the Gilbane and Cullen partnership will also supervise upgrades to the historic Courthouse and the nearby Criminal Justice Facility. The partnership has a history of successful collaboration with Milwaukee County, having worked on projects such as the Marcia P. Coggs Health and Human Services Center, Milwaukee County Zoo exhibits, and the Secure Residential Care Center for Children and Youth.
As the project makes progress, it has already moved into its fourth of five design phases. At one stage, an alternative site for the new building was considered, specifically the location of the Milwaukee Public Museum, which is expected to be vacated in 2027.
The demolition of the current Public Safety Building and the construction of the new facility are expected to be completed by 2032. Following this, renovations of the historic Courthouse are also anticipated to wrap up by 2033.
This replacement project exemplifies Milwaukee County’s commitment to enhancing its public safety infrastructure while ensuring that essential justice functions are effectively operating and secure for the community.
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Additional Resources
- BizTimes: Milwaukee County Picks Gilbane and J.P. Cullen
- OnMilwaukee: Safety Building Construction
- Daily Reporter: Milwaukee Courthouse Rebuild
- JSONline: Milwaukee Police Recover Thwarted Fraud
- Urban Milwaukee: County Selects Contractors for Courthouse
- Wikipedia: Milwaukee County
- Google Search: Milwaukee Public Safety Building
- Google Scholar: Milwaukee Courthouse Construction
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Milwaukee
- Google News: Milwaukee County Construction News
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
