County addresses justice center, road construction

During their March 3 meeting, members of the Waseca County Board followed the recommendation of Adolfson and Peterson (A & P) Construction to approve releasing specifications for a $28.6 million justice center to contractors so that bids can be submitted and a contractor selected in time for the first elements of construction to begin this year.

 

A & P representatives explained that, with the March 3 approval of the design schedule, the first bid package would be released within a few days. Contractors in this round would be asked to submit bids on shaping the site, laying site utilities, and placing the footing and foundations. A second round of bids would be released for work to begin in mid-August and continue through the winter. The second round would include installation of pre-cast concrete.

 

The construction plan calls for staff to be able to occupy the building beginning in February of 2028, with all work, including pavement, landscaping, and the demolition of the current law enforcement center complete by September of 2028.

 

In response to a question from commissioner Brad Milbrath, who stated he has heard from constituents asking whether efforts to reduce the cost of construction will lead to the need to expand the facility “in a few years,” county facilities management director Brian Tomford stated he has met with all department heads, and has been told they can work with the planned spaces.

 

As described in previous County Pioneer articles, the new justice center structure will be about 125 feet on a side, three stories in height, and will house the county’s courtroom and court offices as well as the county corrections, county attorney, sheriff’s and emergency management departments. The facility will include a “class one” jail–one authorized by the Department of Corrections to house prisoners for no more than 72 consecutive hours.

 

Though a general layout for the interior spaces of the new structure has received preliminary approval, A & P staff stated final approval of square footages and smaller details is likely to be an “ongoing process” as construction begins and continues. 

 

Also in advance of the 2026 construction season, board members approved the recommendations of county engineer Jim Kollar in letting bids for a number of road improvement projects.

 

County Road 60 (390th Avenue) between the west county line and the U.S. Hwy 14 interchange will be rehabilitated to a 10-ton standard.  The road will be brought up to a 10 ton standard at a cost of $220,000. Crane Creek Construction was the successful bidder.

 

A one-mile segment of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 6 between 240th and 250th Avenues west of New Richland and 2.6 miles of CSAH 15 (portions of which are named 288th Avenue, 120th Street and 290th Avenue) through Otisco between CSAH 23 (W. Wilton River Road) and Minnesota Highway 13 will also be rehabilitated to the 10-ton level. The two projects will be completed by Ulland Brothers, Inc. at a cost of $1.725 million.

 

Sir Lines-a-Lot was the successful bidder to restripe 82 miles of county roads this summer at a cost of $100,000.