11-03-2025
Gov. Evers earmarks $25 million for Milwaukee County's crumbling courthouse complex
Milwaukee County's crumbling courthouse complex could receive a helping hand from the state after Gov. Tony Evers announced he wants to award $25 million for the massive project estimated to cost nearly $500 million.
The recommendation came as Evers laid out his proposed 2025-2027 capital budget Monday for projects across the state totaling about $4 billion.
While the county had requested $250 million in state money and proposed supplementing it with $245 million in gifts and grants, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley still praised the governor for his support.
'It is critical to pursue this generational investment now to improve outcomes for all impacted by the justice system, address significant safety and constitutional concerns tied to the facilities, create new operational efficiencies, and preserve the continuity of court operations," Crowley said in a statement.
'Partnership will be key. Nearly 80% of Milwaukee County's property tax levy is dedicated to state-mandated services. That's why State investment is needed to help protect taxpayers and resources for critical services — including other state-mandated services."
Almost 100 years old, the roughly 320,000-square-foot courthouse complex is home to the county's criminal courts and the Sheriff's and District Attorney's offices. In a report shared by the county late last year, the current judicial buildings are "severely outdated" and, in a handful of cases, "functionally obsolete," creating public safety and security issues. The complex includes the historic County Courthouse, County Jail and the Public Safety Building.
In the last decade, the county has highlighted the need to tackle severely backlogged maintenance and the need to invest in the courthouse facilities following advice from advisory and policy groups. Deferred maintenance, code compliance upgrades and upkeep needs exceed $333 million, with the Public Safety Building reporting more than $75 million in deferred system replacements, not including code and safety issues.
Some other problems with the current complex include: poor building design resulting in slow transportation for defendants and juries; spaces that are not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act; air quality issues; poor technology; crumbling façade and plaster; broken windows, plumbing leaks; as well as $500,000 reserved annually for emergency repairs.
The design phase of the new courthouse complex began late last year and is expected to wrap up in 2028. The earliest the county would break ground, however, would be in 2027.
Chief Judge Carl Ashley previously called the project "long overdue," saying: "The fact of the matter is, the Safety Building is a relic ... It's clearly outdated, functionally obsolete. It has significant public safety and security issues, and it does not reflect the quality of service for which the county is responsible.
On March 25, the state building commission will take up Evers' proposal, which will later need lawmakers' approval. Historically, Evers' list has been significantly slimmed down, with the budget cycle seeing Evers' $3.8 billion proposal cut to roughly $2.7 billion.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Evers proposes $25M for crumbling Milwaukee County courthouse complex
