Kent County Correctional Facility

This project entailed a $35 million expansion of the existing Kent County Jail. The project involved the addition of 496 single prisoner cells with associated day rooms, a new intake and vehicular sallyport, a new lobby, new administration and staff areas, new visitation areas, remodeling of portions of the existing building to create a new medical suite, staff cafeteria, kitchen, and maintenance area. Existing prisoner cells areas were remodeled to create new day rooms and a dormitory area for trustees.

The project team involved three firms, The Design Forum, HDR out of Dallas, TX, and Neumann Smith of Southfield, MI. Our responsibilities on the project included programming and design, preparation of plans and specifications of the remodeled areas and contract administration for the entire project. The project commenced in 1990 and was completed in 1992. The project was $3 million under budget, and allowed the county to pursue the expansion of the Juvenile Court Detention Center. The correction facility has been cited by the Michigan Masonry Association as one of four exemplary projects in 1993, and by the Grand Valley AIA that same year as one of six distinguished buildings. It has also been published in The Architectural Record magizine's Correctional Facilities Issue in 1995.

The Design Forum Inc., 124 E. Fulton, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Tel: 616-454-1398; Fax: 616-454-0944.