JACKSON, Wyo. — Both motions presented for the new Justice Center project at 180 South King Street were passed at the Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 20. One motion was in regards to the development plan, and the other was for the coinciding Conditional Use Permit (CUP). A CUP is required for any institutional and office uses in areas zoned as public or semi-public.

The building, expected to be 78,000 square feet of floor area, would be split between three levels. The levels would be divided as follows:

  • Level one: 26,140 square feet with a parking garage, Sheriff’s offices, booking and holding, a secured entry zone and other support spaces.
  • Level two: 26,320 square feet with a main lobby, a multi-purpose room, County Attorney offices, Victim Services, 911 dispatch and detention center.
  • Level three: 25,280 square feet with three court rooms, jury rooms, offices of the District & Circuit Court Clerks, court office and security.
The schematic for the new proposed Justice Center between East Simpson, East Pearl Ave and Willow Street. Image: staff report.

The Design Review Committee recommended approval for the project on Oct. 22 last year. On Dec. 17 the planning commission unanimously recommended approval with no concerns about the design.

“We feel really confident with our builder executing this schedule and a big part of which is starting in February with demolition to really get going,” said Jason Berning, of Berning Project Management.

Stephan Hall, an architect at Anderson Mason Dale Architects, presented the design plan and showed a “flythrough” of the design, which is a 3D tour of the building.

Conversation bounced between concern over construction noise and parking for contractors and construction workers. Some described concern over the size of the building.

“I’m unsettled by the size of the building,” Councilor Jonathan Schecter said. He clarified that his concern mostly surrounded the precedent that a building of that size could set for future projects. “I think the result of [this precedent being set] will be the ‘canyonization’ of downtown Jackson.”

“It’s almost like Tetris trying to figure out how to put all the pieces in here to make it all work,” Councilor Kevin Regan stated in discussion. “… When we get to the other side of it, our community is going to be in a better place.”

The community voted via the Specific Purpose Excise Tax (SPET) in 2024 to allocate $88 million to fund the project.

Hannah is a Buckrail Staff Reporter and freelance web developer and designer who has called Jackson home since 2015. When she’s not outside, you can probably find her eating a good meal, playing cribbage, or at one of the local yoga studios. She’s interested in what makes this community tick, both from the individual and collective perspective.