Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Statement on Governor Evers Proposing $25 Million for Courthouse Complex Project

MILWAUKEE – Today, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced the recommended investments included in his 2025-27 Capital Budget to support major projects across Wisconsin, including $25 million for the Investing in Justice: Courthouse Complex project that will remove and replace the Public Safety Building with a new facility.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley issued the following statement regarding Governor Evers proposing funding in his 2025-27 Capital Budget to support the Investing in Justice: Courthouse Complex project.

“Built nearly 100 years ago, the Milwaukee County Public Safety Building is crumbling, inefficient, and poses significant risks to community safety and justice. It must be removed and replaced with a new building that will house all criminal courts and other related functions.

“It is critical to pursue this generational investment now to improve outcomes for all impacted by the justice system, address significant safety and constitutional concerns tied to the facilities, create new operational efficiencies, and preserve the continuity of court operations.

“Partnership will be key. Nearly 80% of Milwaukee County’s property tax levy is dedicated to state-mandated services. That’s why State investment is needed to help protect taxpayers and resources for critical services – including other state-mandated services.

“I thank Governor Tony Evers for recognizing the importance of this issue and look forward to continuing to collaborate with the Governor and members of the State Legislature to address the critical public safety needs in Milwaukee County for the benefit of our entire region and state.”

Milwaukee County has a critical need to re-envision and invest in Courthouse Complex facilities, including the Historic Courthouse, Public Safety Building, and Criminal Justice Facility, where the County provides state-mandated public safety services. The Public Safety Building is out of compliance with State Supreme Court standards – including the guidance that dictates how the building should be divided into three sectors: areas for the public, restricted areas for staff and jurors, and secure areas for in-custody defendants and law enforcement officers. The Courthouse Complex has no secure pathways for in-custody defendants; visitors, victims, family members, jurors, staff, and defendants all share common elevators and corridors. Pushing all criminal courts into a single building will address this. In a new building, constitutional concerns related to the facility’s compliance with State Supreme Court standards will be resolved. All criminal courtrooms will be co-located, instead of being in multiple buildings. This will allow Milwaukee County to best wrap services around the criminal courts and focus security efforts in one place – reducing strain on Sheriff staffing by allowing for more safe transports and more secure spaces.

Funding included in the State of Wisconsin’s 2025-27 budget would support Milwaukee County’s design and preparation efforts. The project is in the early stages of design, with construction expected to begin in 2027 for a building that could open in 2031. More information about the Investing in Justice: Courthouse Complex initiative is available HERE.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.