In the heart of Cuyahoga County, plans for the new Central Services Campus in Garfield Heights are moving from blueprint to reality, with officials unveiling the latest designs. The $890 million project is set to replace the downtown Corrections Center, with county leaders showing off images for both interior and exterior features of the facility at the County Council’s Public Safety and Justice Affairs Committee meeting, WKYC reports.
More than just an upgraded jail, the new plans include expanded on-site medical facilities and promise a focus on the well-being of both residents and staff. In a statement obtained by WKYC, County Executive Chris Ronayne emphasized the intentions behind the construction, saying, “This project is more than the construction of a new Corrections Center, it is about creating a more dignified space that prioritizes the health and safety of residents and staff.”
Despite the project's ambitious design, Cleveland.com notes that the budget for the development of the jail and sheriff's complex has so far remained on target at just over $900 million. The site spans 71 acres along Transportation Boulevard and should open its doors in 2029. Officials are expected to complete design work by early October, aiming to solidify the price in time for county council approval by next March.
According to News 5 Cleveland, the county plans to break ground this fall and finance the massive project through bonds issued against a 0.25% sales tax that was extended by the Cuyahoga County Council in 2023. While the fate of the courts tower at the Justice Center is still up in the air, county officials continue to sort through proposals for a new courthouse downtown or to renovate existing structures to house the courts.
