INTEGRATED ACCESS - Waseca County commissioners (from left) Brad Milbrath, Brian Harguth, Brad Krause, DeAnne Malterer, and Doug Christopherson greeted visitors and answered questions about the planned new county justice center during two open house sessions on Tuesday, June 30. Also greeting visitors was Minnesota House District 19B Representative Tom Sexton, who has helped support the project in numerous ways. Star Eagle photo by Deb Bently
Open house offers an open book on new justice center
Thu, 07/09/2026 - 7:30am
Traffic was light for the two open house sessions at the Waseca County Courthouse Annex on June 30 when county commissioners, the county sheriff, facilities director Brian Tomford and county administrator Michael Johnson stood ready to supply information and answer questions about the $28 million structure due to be constructed at the west side of the historic 1897 county courthouse. Architectural renditions and floor plans showed what the building will look like inside and out.
Handouts summarized various aspects of the project, including that the need for an expansion was first discussed in 2003; since then, one document summarized, workspaces in the courthouse and annex, which is across the street, have been filled and used beyond their intended capacity, with some offices located in spaces not originally intended to be occupied.
Another difficulty is that departments whose work is closely interrelated–for example the county attorney and court services–are located where there was room, rather than where they can most efficiently coordinate their work.
The new structure will provide integrated access to technology, an aspect of communication, safety, and records retrieval which has become more and more central over recent decades; it will provide a secure entry where people’s bags are scanned, and will comply with requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
At this time, specifications for the various aspects of construction have been shared with contractors; the county is expecting to receive bids about midway through July. Expected construction costs are about $28,600,000, with an anticipated $4 million in soft costs and contingency funding.
According to materials shared at the open house, the county has been setting aside funds for a project like this one since 2021, and has $7 million available. Also supporting the project are $3 million from a congressionally directed spending award. This means the county will need to bond for about $23 million for the project.
