Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm, has announced the groundbreaking of a new 32-bed secure residential care center for children and youth (SRCCCY) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Dewberry, as a subconsultant to Continuum Architects + Planners, is providing secure architecture and detention services, and plumbing, fire protection, mechanical, electrical, and technology/security electronics engineering services. Once complete, the facility will operate as a treatment-oriented secure residential center that will provide a safe, positive, sustainable, and developmentally appropriate treatment environment for youth. It is expected to be complete in December 2025.
The 26,200-square-foot facility is a new addition to the existing Vel R. Phillips Youth and Family Justice Center and includes a welcome center, visitation, dining, and education spaces, a health clinic, male and female living units, vocational space, and an additional 1,800 square feet of outdoor recreation space for youth and visitors. Renovations will also be made to 8,800 square feet of the existing building, including two existing living units and behavioral and dental healthcare spaces.
The renovation and expansion efforts support the 2017 Wisconsin Act 185 of developing a local SRCCCY for youth committed to the county, effectively promoting accountability, protecting the community, keeping youth close to home, reducing recidivism, and returning youth to the community with the necessary skills to become successful and productive citizens.
“It’s been exciting for our firm to support Milwaukee County since 2018 and see this much-needed facility break ground,” says Dewberry Associate Vice President and Project Manager Mike McTavish, PE, LEED AP. Dewberry Associate and Justice Architect Brooke Martin, AIA, NCARB, CCHP, LEED Green Associate, says, “This facility strives to improve the youth justice system while working within the Wisconsin Chapter Department of Corrections’ 347 regulations. The design provides safe and supportive spaces for education, as well as evidence-based programs and services to encourage positive change.”
