Cleveland County is developing a 313,000 SF justice center campus to contain a new detention center, law enforcement center, and courthouse while consolidating several county departments in uptown Shelby. On an 8.3-acre site, the complex allows citizens to have convenient access to numerous county services while focusing on advanced technology, efficiency, and security features.
This new justice center is to be constructed while the existing courthouse remains in operation, providing continued use for the residents during and after construction. Once the new building is in full operation, the old courthouse will be closed, demolished and transformed into a feature entry.
WithersRavenel is teaming our site engineering expertise with architectural designer Moseley Architects. We are providing boundary and topographic surveying and mapping, subsurface utility engineering, Phase I environmental site assessment, conceptual layouts, master planning, schematic design plans, design development documents, construction documents, street closure planning, water system analysis and hydrant testing, stormwater management planning, NCDOT permitting, water/sewer/erosion control permitting, construction administration, and construction observation.
Recently, a community groundbreaking and foundation dedication was held at the Shelby site, which is set to open in 2026. Importantly, the site and facilities have been designed with room for potential expansion as the county grows. When construction is complete, the complex will include:
- A detention center with space to house 460 inmates as well as intake, booking, medical and magistrate’s areas; kitchen and service areas; and administration and support areas.
- A law enforcement center for the sheriff’s officers, including narcotics, patrol, civil and investigations.
- A new courthouse building containing nine courtrooms, judges’ offices, clerk of court space, district attorney offices, public defender offices and a register of deeds office.
The new justice center is now under construction using the Construction Manager at Risk delivery method. Current project budget is more than $190 million.