Project description
The Lakewood Justice Center houses a wide range of public safety and judicial functions, including courtrooms, judges’ chambers, jury spaces, police administration, investigations, crime lab operations, record storage, training spaces, and holding cells. The renovation updated these spaces while keeping the facility fully occupied and maintaining high security requirements.
Cator, Ruma, and Associates provided the mechanical and electrical design along with contract administration for the project. The mechanical scope covered the entire building and included replacing all diffusers, rebalancing air throughout the system, and making selective modifications to existing air-handling units. The renovation reused much of the existing equipment, including air-handling units, compressors, condensers, and boilers, while CRA provided recommendations for future replacement based on condition and remaining useful life.
The electrical design involved roughly half of the building and included updates to lighting, power distribution, and branch circuits. Specialized law enforcement functions, such as fingerprinting, evidence processing, photography, and secure storage, were supported by dedicated electrical provisions. Security remained a top priority, and CRA coordinated closely with user groups to meet the police department’s heightened requirements.
The project was bid with five alternates and constructed in six phases to keep the Justice Center operational throughout the renovation. The result is a modernized facility with improved comfort, enhanced system reliability, and upgraded infrastructure to support long-term police and court operations.
Guiding Principles for the Design
- Operational Security First
- Minimal Disruption to Daily Operations
- Smart Reuse with Strategic Upgrades
- Reliable Systems for Essential Services