The Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center was opened in 1984 and licensed by the Minnesota Department of Corrections for 87 beds. By 1989
the facility suffered from chronic overcrowding, despite the concerted use of diversion programs and alternatives to incarceration. The purpose of this project was to alleviate
the overcrowding, which was at odds with the mission of the County and the Juvenile Detention Center.
The total addition created 34,396 gross square feet, including extending existing mechanical, electrical, and elevator systems to serve the new space. The addition
was occupied in January 2003.
The project's two additional floors added housing capacity for 60 additional juveniles to the existing Juvenile Detention Center for a total capacity of 147 beds:
- The new 4th floor has 12 bed housing modules for a total of 36 secure detention beds for both males and females. These beds utilize classroom, recreation,
and other support facilities on the lower floors of the existing JDC.
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