116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Johnson County sets justice center ballot language, Nov. 6 election date
The Johnson County Board of Supervisors Thursday formally set a Nov. 6 election date and approved the ballot language for a criminal justice center.
The board's 5-0 decision means voters will be asked to approve a bond issue of up to $46.8 million. The facility has an estimated cost of $48.1 million, and the supervisors have said they would use county money to cover the rest of the amount.
The ballot language says the justice center is needed to solve current safety, security and space needs at the county jail and courthouse.
The current design calls for a five-level, 153,800-square-foot building constructed behind the courthouse at 417 S. Clinton Street in Iowa City.
It would include 243 jail beds, the Sheriff's Office headquarters, six new courtrooms and other space for court-related functions. The courthouse would continue to be used.
The supervisors have talked extensively about the justice center vote and the details approved Thursday came as no surprise.
A rendering looking northwest shows a draft design for a proposed criminal justice center in Johnson County. The facility would include a new jail and court space, built behind the existing courthouse. The county has placed a bond issue on the November ballot to pay for the center. (Neumann Monson Architects)
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