Public-Private Partnership Sought For New Criminal Justice Complex

Marion County is moving forward with plans to construct a new criminal justice complex.

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard says now is the time for this type of project because it can work financially.

"Public safety and criminal justice consume about 90 or 92 percent of our general fund. This is a great way for the city to do more with less and possibly generate additional funding that could be put to better use" said Ballard.  "This move will unlock potential redevelopment downtown and add existing jail sites."

He hopes using one location will free up other downtown buildings currently used for criminal justice for new development.

The project will be a public-private partnership and Ballard believes can be done without raising taxes.

The "ballpark" estimates are that it will cost between $300 and $400 million, although it’s not set in stone.

And Ballard is going to leave the location up to private sector developers to determine.

"We are open to (different sites).  People are speculating. We hear that.  We know that is going to happen, but I think we are open to it.  We are open to any ideas like that," said Ballard.  "We think (a public-private partnership) gives us more cost effectiveness, frankly.  I think that is a big part of doing it without raising taxes."

The county will start accepting proposals in the coming weeks, evaluate them in February, and make a final decision in September.

The goal is to start construction in 2015 and open the complex in 2018.

The facility would include an extra 100 jail beds and 25 to 30 courtrooms.

Sheriff John Layton says the current facility is antiquated and costing the community expenses it can’t afford.

He believes the new complex will allow the justice system to get more from less.

"If there is someone in the private sector that is willing to - if I may use the term - "pony up" and help out the public sector to get this done in a very efficient and money conscious manor, I think that would be smart of the city leaders to take advantage of that," said Layton.

The complex is expected to include adult and juvenile detention facilities, criminal and juvenile courts, the prosecutor, public defender, and probation offices, and community corrections.