Tulsa County’s David L. Moss Criminal Justice Center Expansion project has been recognized with a 2017 Excellence in Construction Award in the commercial projects between $10 to $25 million category by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Oklahoma. Manhattan Construction Group, the construction manager at risk, received the award on behalf of the project.
Dewberry provided all architectural and engineering services, including programming, site/civil engineering, security/technology consulting, structural engineering, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering on the $14,400,000 expansion. The project consisted of two programs, a new mental health unit with two pods that can hold up to 98 beds and a general population unit with two pods that can accommodate up to 160 inmates in a dorm-style setting.
The completed project is one of the first county jails in the country to provide specialized housing and treatment spaces that are essential for providing mental health services. With a goal of protecting detainees from harming themselves and/or others and reducing stress, the mental health pods’ therapeutic environment introduces more daylight into the space and provides four levels of observation and security. The mental health treatment area adjacent to the unit is used by both inmates in the mental health pods and those undergoing treatment for mental issues from throughout the facility.
The project was recently recognized at the 2017 ABC of Oklahoma Excellence in Construction Awards. Entries are judged on attractiveness of design, complexity, workmanship, innovation, and unusual challenges or problems overcome. The project is eligible for consideration for the national award, announced in January 2018. The project was also recently presented at the American Institute of Architects Academy of Architecture for Justice conference.
