News Summary
Milwaukee County has selected Gilbane Building Co. and J.P. Cullen & Sons Inc. as construction managers for the $500 million replacement of the outdated Public Safety Building. This project is part of a broader initiative to modernize the county’s judicial facilities, including the historic Courthouse. The design phase is expected to continue through 2027, with construction anticipated to start in 2029. Both companies are committed to ensuring the project’s success and improving community safety.
Milwaukee County has appointed Gilbane Building Co. and J.P. Cullen & Sons Inc. as construction managers for the $500 million replacement of the aging Public Safety Building. This announcement, made on a Monday, marks a significant step in the long-planned project aimed at modernizing the county’s judicial facilities.
Gilbane is based in Rhode Island, while J.P. Cullen is headquartered in Janesville, Wisconsin. The two firms will work collaboratively under a construction management at risk delivery method, which involves being engaged early in the design phase to help streamline the project’s execution. This modernization initiative is part of a larger multi-year effort to revamp the entire County Courthouse complex, which includes the nearly century-old Safety Building that currently houses the criminal courts and the Sheriff’s Office.
Alicia Dupies, vice president of Gilbane, noted that thorough evaluations in the preconstruction phase are crucial for the success of such projects. The teams from both companies will be responsible for handling the demolition of the outdated facility as well as constructing a modern replacement tailored to current needs.
The upcoming project will also incorporate upgrades to the interconnected historic Courthouse and the Criminal Justice Facility. Both Gilbane and J.P. Cullen have previously collaborated with Milwaukee County on high-profile projects such as the Marcia P. Coggs Health and Human Services Center and various developments at the Milwaukee County Zoo. In addition, Gilbane is currently managing the $500 million Northwestern Mutual North Office project, recognized as the largest ongoing development in the Milwaukee region.
Shannon Metoxen, a vice president at J.P. Cullen, emphasized the team’s personal commitment to the community and the project’s overall success. The design work for the new Public Safety Building has already begun, involving collaboration with notable global firms, including AECOM, NORR, and Continuum Architects + Planners. The design phase is anticipated to continue through 2027, with construction likely starting afterward.
The complete redevelopment effort is estimated to cost between $490 million and $500 million. The existing Public Safety Building, located at 821 W. State St. and constructed in 1929, has been identified as obsolete and hazardous. Court officials have indicated that the outdated building presents safety risks and contributes to delays within the justice system.
While the project has faced delays in previous phases due to high costs and funding disagreements, recent budget maneuvers have cleared the way for securing design process funding. However, full construction funding remains pending, with planned requests for allocations in the 2027 budget cycle. Currently, the project is in the fourth of five design phases, aiming to demolish the existing building and rebuild on the same site.
An alternative proposal that considered relocating the facility to the Milwaukee Public Museum site, which will be available starting in 2027, has been discussed. According to the current schedules, demolition and construction are expected to commence in 2029, with projected completion by 2032. Renovation of the historic Courthouse is also planned by 2033 as part of this extensive redevelopment effort.
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Additional Resources
- BizTimes: Milwaukee County Picks Contractors for New Public Safety Building
- Daily Reporter: Milwaukee Courthouse Rebuild Update
- OnMilwaukee: Safety Building Construction Overview
- Fox6Now: Milwaukee County’s Safety Building Replacement Process
- Urban Milwaukee: County Selects Contractors for Courthouse
- Wikipedia: Milwaukee County Courthouse
- Google Search: Milwaukee Public Safety Building
- Google Scholar: Milwaukee County Public Safety Building
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Milwaukee
- Google News: Milwaukee Courthouse Renovation
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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.
