Location: Lexington, Kentucky

With the passage by the Kentucky Legislature of the juvenile detention classification "Youth Alternative Center", Lexington-Fayette County decided to renovate a section of their present Secure Juvenile Detention Center to house juveniles in this facility type.   This was the first "Youth Alternative Center" to be constructed in Kentucky .

The present facility's gymnasium and part of its outdoor recreation area were renovated to become the new center.   This renovation included removal of the present heating system and inclusion of new heating; air conditioning and ventilating systems; removal of interior walls and construction of new full and half height walls; installation of new plumbing fixtures, including showers; placement of new doors, door frames and windows; and new fire alarm and locking systems components that will interface with the present systems.   The site work included installation of fencing, gates and landscaping.

The new center houses 36 males and females in separate six to eight bed sleeping areas.   To allow occupancy of both males and females in the center, 24-hour direct supervision by staff was mandated.

Construction began in September 1995 and was completed in December 1995.