### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Council's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee met on September 9, 2025, to receive an update on the Justice Center Project. The meeting focused on the selection of a design-build team and the upcoming planning process for the new facility that will replace the current jail and include a behavioral health component. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Design-Build:** A project delivery method where a single contract team handles both the design and construction of a facility, allowing for collaborative input throughout the process rather than sequential phases. **Owner's Representative:** A professional consultant (STV in this case) hired to represent the county's interests and manage the project on behalf of the owner during complex construction projects. **Justice Center:** The proposed new facility that will replace Whatcom County's current jail and include additional components like behavioral health services and other justice-related functions. **Scenario Development:** The process of evaluating different building options with varying sizes, features, and costs to help decision-makers choose the best approach for the project. **Joint Venture:** A business arrangement where two companies (Clark Construction and RAM Construction) partner together to work on a project, combining their respective expertise and resources. **FFAB:** Finance and Facility Advisory Board - a county advisory body that reviews major facility and financial decisions. **IPRTF:** Whatcom County's Involuntary Treatment Act Planning and Review Task Force, involved in behavioral health facility planning. **Total Cost of Ownership:** An approach that considers both construction costs and long-term operational costs when evaluating different facility options. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Barry Buchanan | Committee Chair, County Council | | Tyler Byrd | Council Member District 1 | | Jon Scanlon | Council Member District 3 | | Rob Ney | Administrative Services Department Facilities | | Ashley McClaran | STV (Owner's Representative) | | Kayla Schott-Bresler | Executive's Office | ### Background Context Whatcom County has been planning to replace its aging jail facility for several years. The Justice Center Project represents a significant investment in both traditional corrections and innovative approaches to criminal justice, including behavioral health services. This is the county's first time using the design-build methodology for a major project, which is intended to create more collaboration between designers, builders, and the county throughout the process. The project has involved extensive community input and multiple stakeholder groups, reflecting the complexity of balancing public safety needs with evolving approaches to justice and mental health services. The selection process for the design-build team has been completed after evaluating six proposals and shortlisting three finalists. ### What Happened — The Short Version Rob Ney announced that the county has selected a design-build team for the Justice Center Project: a joint venture between Clark Construction (a national firm) and RAM Construction (local), with Nelson Architecture and RMC as the design team. Contract negotiations are nearly complete, with execution expected within the week. The team has already begun visioning sessions in anticipation of the contract. Ashley McClaran from STV presented the timeline for scenario development, explaining that between now and early 2026, the team will develop three different facility scenarios with varying costs and features. A Joint Advisory Working Group will be formed to facilitate ongoing input between formal meetings. The process aims to reach a final scenario selection by February-March 2026, with program and budget approval by March-April 2026. Council members asked about union requirements for subcontractors, with Ney confirming that the current contract structure is "wide open" to find the best candidates regardless of union status. Plans for public engagement including town halls are being developed. ### What to Watch Next - Contract execution with the design-build team (expected within the week) - Finance and Facility Advisory Board presentation on Thursday, September 11 - IPRTF presentation on the Behavioral Care Center model in two weeks - Formation and composition of the Joint Advisory Working Group - Public engagement planning including potential town halls ---