09/16/2026
BOCC PRESS RELEASE STEVENS COUNTY JUSTICE CENTER (SCJC) PROJECT UPDATE
BOCC PRESS RELEASE STEVENS COUNTY JUSTICE CENTER (SCJC) PROJECT UPDATE
Stevens County continues to move forward with planning and construction of the new Stevens County Justice Center (SCJC). We remain committed to this project and look forward to the many benefits it will bring to our community.
To date, the county has collected approximately $8.41 million from the voter-approved sales tax for this project, with an estimated $286,000 expected each month going forward. None of these funds have been spent yet. Additionally, about $2.3 million in federal ARPA-SLFRF and LATCF funds has been used to support major design components.
The county is also seeking roughly $4 million in federal USDA funding and is working to finalize a low-interest loan with the Washington State Department of Commerce Public Works Board, expected to carry an interest rate of about 0.53%.
Because tax revenues have come in lower than projected and construction costs have increased, the county has reduced the size and scope of the project to maintain fiscal responsibility and stay within approved cost parameters.
To manage costs, the county continues working with ALSC Architects, Turner & Townsend Heery (Ownerβs Representative), and Lydig Construction (General Contractor/Construction Manager) to refine the Justice Center design.
In March 2026, the county established the Essential Public Facilities Siting Committee, as required by Countywide Planning Policies. The seven-member volunteer committee met four times in public meetings, evaluated and ranked potential sites, and submitted its recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). The committee ultimately recommended the current BOCC location as the site for the new Justice Center.
The BOCC has held several public hearings to review the committeeβs recommendations and gather public input, including discussion of a property that became available around May 2026 (parcel 0233501). The BOCC also directed the project team to compare parcel 0233501 with the Siting Committeeβs recommended location β the current BOCC site.
The project team completed environmental and geotechnical studies on parcel 0233501 and compared the findings to conditions at the current BOCC site. This analysis assessed environmental and economic impacts and determined whether the alternative site offered stable, buildable ground.
Based on the analysis, the project team recommended the current BOCC location because it avoids property acquisition costs, provides more predictable geotechnical/soil conditions, maintains direct adjacency to the courthouse, reduces inmate transport between separate facilities, and supports a practical long-term County facility HUB development strategy.
On August 31, the Board entered public deliberations and unanimously approved a motion selecting the current BOCC site as the location for the new Justice Center.
The county will continue providing regular updates as this important project progresses.
For questions or comments, please contact the Board of County Commissioners at [email protected] or 509-684-3751.
