Press Release: Building Commission Approves Projects, Gov. Evers Applauds Approval for Secure Residential Care Centers for Children and Youth

MADISON—Gov. Tony Evers today applauded the State of Wisconsin Building Commission's approval of $348.1 million for key projects across the state, including taking action to release grant funds for Secure Residential Care Centers for Children and Youth (SRCCCY) for youth to be relocated to upon the closure of Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Schools.

“Today’s Building Commission action on the Secure Residential Care Centers for Children and Youth moves us one step closer to sustainable youth justice reform in our state,” said Gov. Evers. “These facilities will enable youth to receive trauma-informed, evidence-based resources, while bringing the youth at Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Schools closer to home. I want to again share my support and gratitude to Brown, Dane, Milwaukee, and Racine counties and the many stakeholders who have worked diligently with us to move the needle on youth justice reform in our state.” 

In addition to releasing the grant funds for SRCCCYs in Brown, Dane, Milwaukee, and Racine counties, the State of Wisconsin Building Commission approved the following projects:

1. Construction of Drinking Water System Improvements at Fox Lake Correctional Institution;
2. Release of Building Trust Funds to complete the design through bidding documents for the Mendota Mental Health Juvenile Treatment Center;
3. Grant release for 19 Department of Natural Resources Friends Group projects;
4. Construction of the Fieldhouse and Soccer Support Facility at UW-La Crosse;
5. Funding increase to complete the Babcock Hall Dairy Plant / Center for Dairy Research Addition and the Meat Science and Muscle Biology Laboratory projects at UW-Madison;
6. Construction of the Sellery Hall Addition and Renovation at UW-Madison;
7. Construction of the Northwest Quadrant Student Health Services Remodel and Northwest Quadrant Renovation Phase 2 at UW-Milwaukee;
8. Final release of funding for the 2017-19 Classroom Renovation/Instructional Technology Improvement Program for UW System; and
9. Various maintenance and repair projects located in 11 counties across the state for the Department of Administration, Corrections, Health Services, Veterans Affairs, and the UW-System.

The Building Commission, chaired by Gov. Evers, includes:

• State Senator Janis Ringhand;
• State Senator Jerry Petrowski;
• State Senator Patrick Testin;
• State Representative Jill Billings; 
• State Representative Rob Swearingen;
• State Representative Mark Born; and
• Citizen member Summer Strand.