Project:   Perry County Justice Center

Location: Hazard, Kentucky

This completed project is located just north of the existing County Courthouse on property bounded by Main and High Streets, existing retail buildings to the north and the Courthouse to the south.   Between the buildings, Morgan Street was closed and donated to the project by the City and converted to a brick paved landscaped plaza that includes a fountain.   Staff parking, secured with ornamental fencing and gates, is located at the backside of the building.

The entire building is dedicated to the state judicial court system.   Functional program space in the building supports one Circuit courtroom, one District courtroom and a Hearing/Grand Jury room.   Offices and related support spaces include attorney client conference rooms, witness waiting rooms, secluded jury rooms, and offices for the Circuit and District Judge and Circuit Clerk.   Support service offices include the Court Designated Worker and Pretrial Services.

Public, staff and prisoner circulation systems are kept separate throughout the building.   Prisoners are delivered by vehicle into the building through a separate secure vehicle entrance into the holding area.   Secure holding cells for prisoners are located off each courtroom.   Public and court staff access into the building is through the ground floor public lobby through security checking.   All exits from the building are camera monitored.

The building is three stories with a partial basement.   The structure is constructed with a steel frame on a concrete spread footing foundation.   The exterior wall treatment includes cast stone along the base with brick veneer above, accented with cast stone window sills and lintels, and cast stone quoins at the outside corners.   The cornice, as well as the columns at the public entrance, is fabricated of architectural fiberglass.   The roof includes a metal dome assembly.   Heating and air conditioning is provided with a water-source heat pump system.   The building is equipped throughout with a fire protection sprinkler system and fire alarm system.   Provisions are included to allow an emergency generator power connection to the building.         

The building was occupied in May 2004.