Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of Sept. 7. Let's get started with project updates: Officials in Tazewell County, Ill., marked the topping out of the county's new 87,000-square-foot, $43.5 million Justice Center Annex in downtown Pekin, designed by Wold Architects and Engineers and built by P.J. Hoerr.Major construction is complete on a new $17.9 million, 19,600-square-foot law enforcement center in Page County, Iowa, which includes a podular-design jail with 38 general population beds and five special needs cells.The Howell County Commission in Missouri has selected Elevatus Architecture to conduct a needs assessment and provide design services for a potential new law enforcement or justice center.Demolition of the former administration wing of the Benton County Juvenile Justice Center in Washington began last week, kicking off the next phase of a $21 million renovation that will replace outdated housing with 16-bed pods and outdoor courtyards. Up next in legislation and funding: A draft bipartisan plan would authorize $628.7 million in bonds to overhaul seven Wisconsin correctional facilities, closing Green Bay Correctional Institution no earlier than 2031 and rebuilding Waupun Correctional Institution for $258.45 million.Commissioners in Mecklenburg County, N.C., unanimously approved $3.2 million to begin reopening the county's north jail, closed four years ago amid staffing shortages, to relieve overcrowding at the main jail in Charlotte.Kent County, Mich., Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young is seeking voter approval in November for a 20-year jail millage renewal and increase at a 0.98-mill rate to modernize medical and mental health services at the county jail. Moving on to people news: The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office in California has named Jeremiah Mayes its new correctional captain, after nearly two decades with the office and numerous custody division leadership roles. And now for construction reports: Rowan County, N.C., has issued an RFQ for a feasibility study and architectural services to determine whether to expand, renovate or replace the county sheriff's office facility, with submittals due Sept. 17.The town of Argyle, Texas, has issued an RFP to construction manager at-risk firms for an estimated $6.5 million law enforcement center, with FGM Architects as project architect and proposals due Sept. 22.Fauquier County, Va., has issued an RFP to architectural and engineering firms for a new 61,500-square-foot courthouse with five courtrooms at the Fauquier County Judicial Center, with proposals due Sept. 28. And finishing up with events: From Sept. 8–11, the Correctional Leaders Association's Northeast Region Meeting will take place in Bar Harbor, Maine.The American College of Correctional Physicians' 2026 Annual Education Conference will be held Sept. 18–20 in Dallas, with a theme of "Hard Time, Smart Medicine." For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.
