City officials broke ground on the site of Denver’s future justice center complex Thursday.
Mayor John Hickenlooper, council members, developers and public safety officials were among those attending the groundbreaking at the site of the future post office and parking deck.
Hickenlooper said construction of the new complex was a step toward creating a justice system in Denver that is “fair and treats people with respect while at the same time maintains the safety of our streets.”
City Councilwoman Jeanne Robb said the three-building facility “isn’t just about a jail; it’s about a vision of justice for the city.”
Voters approved the $378 million justice center project in 2005. The planned courthouse and detention facility will be along West Colfax Avenue and will replace the current post office and Rocky Mountain News buildings.
The post office and parking structure facility, for which ground was broken Thursday, is at West 14th Avenue and Elati Street.
The justice center will include 1,500 jail beds and 35 courtrooms. It is scheduled to open in 2009.
In a statement, Hickenlooper said, “This groundbreaking marks an exciting step forward for both the Civic Center’s built environment and Denver’s public safety and justice systems. Today we begin transforming paper-and-pencil design into bricks and mortar.”
Staff writer George Merritt can be reached at 303-820-1657 or gmerritt@denverpost.com.
