Ballard Recommends Site For Justice Center
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard is recommending the former GM Stamping Plant for the location of a proposed justice complex. He says it is the best spot in terms of cost, accessibility and space. Fourteen locations were identified in a study and a request for proposals is expected to be issued in a few weeks. In December, Mayor Ballard, Marion Superior Court Judge David Certo and Marion County Sheriff John Layton announced the proposal for a new justice complex. March 13, 2014
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS – Mayor Greg Ballard announced today the City’s recommendation to stakeholders on the location for the proposed Marion County Justice Complex.
After completing a comprehensive analysis of multiple potential sites, Mayor Ballard identified the former General Motors Stamping Plant as the most viable, cost-effective location.
While no site has been officially selected, the recommendation comes during the final weeks leading up to the City’s Request for Revised Proposals.
“It’s clear that the land previously occupied by the GM Stamping Plant is the best choice in terms of cost, accessibility and available space needed for this project,” said Mayor Ballard. “We have listened to a lot of stakeholders in the process of coming to this recommendation. This project offers an opportunity to greatly improve the delivery of criminal justice services at a lower cost and without raising taxes.”
Out of 14 locations identified in a study conducted by the city, two sites were singled out early on as the most suitable: the GM property, which comprises more than 100 acres of land, and an undeveloped area near the former Indianapolis International Airport terminal.
In December, Mayor Ballard joined with Marion Superior Court Judge David Certo and Marion County Sheriff John Layton to announce the proposal for a new justice complex to replace the existing facilities.
The new complex is expected to house adult detention, inmate processing, the prosecutor, public defender, clerk, probation and community corrections while reducing costly transportation and duplicative services due to the current system’s facilities that are spread throughout Marion County.
The project is expected to improve public safety, ease the overflow of courtrooms while provide economic development opportunities for the core “mile-square” downtown area.
In the meantime, the City is continuing to participate in meetings and public forums as part of the process to collect feedback from residents and stakeholders who will be affected depending on which location is selected.
Source: Office of the Indianapolis Mayor