Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility Breaks Ground | 11.10.2023 BENEATH THE HARD HAT®
Groundbreaking ceremony for the Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility commences project construction on a key investment in Wisconsin's future.
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PROJECT INFORMATION
LOCATION | West Wisconsin Avenue and North 94th Street on the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (MRMC) campus in Milwaukee
PROJECT SITE | 7.6-acre parcel in the southeast quadrant within the MRMC campus
HEIGHT | Four stories
ENTITIES IN NEW FACILITY | Wisconsin’s Milwaukee Crime Lab, the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office, the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management and the Organ Procurement Organization and Tissue Bank of Versiti Wisconsin
SCHEDULE | Spring 2026 opening is planned
«»PROJECT TEAM
Project + Design Team PARTNERS
The facility will be OWNED and paid for by the State of Wisconsin and Milwaukee County.
Project Team is led by C.D. Smith Construction and their development partners, Summit Smith Development and Royal Capital Group.
Development Partners are Summit Smith Development and Royal Capital Group.
Design Team includes HGA Architects, Smith Group, Continuum, and Crime Lab Design.
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Milwaukee County breaks ground on more than $200M state crime lab | The Daily Reporter 11.16.2023
Construction begins on $226 million Forensic Science & Protective Medicine Facility | BizTimes 11.10.2023
Milwaukee Forensic Science, Protective Medicine Facility Expected to Open in 2026 | Wisconsin Health News 11.13.2023
County, State Break Ground on Forensic Science Center | Urban Milwaukee 11.10.2023
Dept. of Justice: AG. Kaul celebrates groundbreaking of new Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory in Milwaukee | WisPolitics 11.10.2023
Gov. Evers: Celebrates forensic science and protective medicine facility breaking ground | WisPolitics 11.10.2023
Meeting Notice-Public Notice: Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility | County Legislative Information Center Calendar 11.10.2023
A surprisingly divisive parking lot | The Wauwastoa 04.22.2023
Milwaukee County approves $112 million for new forensic science building at regional medical center | The Business Journals 12.15.2022
County Finalizing Deal for Forensic Science Center | Urban Milwaukee 12.14.2022
County Would Raise Tax Levy For Forensic Science Center | Urban Milwaukee 10.11.2022
Forensic Science Center Gains Funding | Urban Milwaukee 09.27.2022
Evers Provides $20 Million for Forensic Science Building at Milwaukee Regional Medical Center | Wisconsin Health News 09.23.2022
Tony for Wisconsin Press: Gov. Evers invests additional $20 million in public safety | WisPolitics 09.23.2022
Gov. Evers Announces Additional $20 Million Public Safety Investment in Milwaukee County for Medical Examiner and Emergency Management Center | Granicus 09.22.2022
Evers announces $20 million in state funds toward a new home for the crumbling Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 09.22.2022
Milwaukee County medical examiner retires, accreditation in jeopardy | Fox 6 News Milwaukee 09.20.2022
Crumbling Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office moves closer to a new home | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 09.09.2022
Milwaukee Regional Medical Center proposed for site of state crime lab, medical examiner | Milwaukee Business Journal 06.28.2022
MCW, Milwaukee County could partner on new forensic science center | BizTimes Milwaukee Business News 10.23.2018
Breaking New Ground? | Wisconsin Policy Forum 02.2017
MILWAUKEE, Wis. – (Nov. 10, 2023) – Today, a groundbreaking was held for the Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility that will serve as a new state-of-the-art home for the state of Wisconsin’s Milwaukee Crime Lab, the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management. In addition, the four-story facility will include the relocated Organ Procurement Organization and Tissue Bank of Versiti Wisconsin (a current Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (MRMC) campus partner).
Bringing these entities together under one roof is expected to provide synergies and efficiencies, not only during the design and construction phases but also through the ongoing operations after occupancy. Co-location of these organizations will:
The Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility is being funded with $99.5 million in state funds that were approved in August 2022 by the State Building Commission, which is chaired by the governor. After multiple previous attempts to move this project forward failed, in September 2022, Gov. Evers announced an additional $20 million grant for Milwaukee County to assist in the construction of the facility. This additional investment directed by Gov. Evers ensured the project could meet the threshold needed to begin construction and prevented the project from once again being stalled.
“Investing in keeping our schools, our streets, and our communities safe has been a top priority for us, from directing more than $100 million to support crime and violence prevention statewide to providing generational increases in shared revenue to help ensure local law enforcement and first responders have the support and resources they need to do their jobs every day,” said Gov. Evers. “Our work to advance this project has been a critical part of our efforts to improve community safety statewide, and I was glad to direct an additional $20 million to get this project across the finish line. I am also incredibly grateful for the partnership of Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, whose advocacy and leadership made this effort possible. This new facility will help significantly bolster the collective impact of the many partners involved in this project, which will help strengthen our efforts to keep Wisconsin communities and families healthy and safe.”
“Efforts to build a new crime lab in the Milwaukee area began well before I was first sworn in as Attorney General, and I’m thrilled that we’re now able to put shovels in the ground to get this done,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “My top priority is public safety, and ensuring the state crime labs have the facilities they need to keep up with scientific and technological advancements will help with the crucial work of keeping our communities safe.”
Centrally located on the MRMC campus in Milwaukee, the Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility provides easy access to all major highways, as well as to the Milwaukee County Transit System. The facility, co-owned by the state and county, will benefit from more than $1 billion in recent investments from interchange construction to the MRMC’s thermal plant utilities offering reliability and reduced rates. The facility’s proximity to restaurants, hotels and meeting spaces also makes it a prime location for staff and visitors.
“The new Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility is the result of significant multi-jurisdictional collaboration to create a desperately needed space for the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner and to enhance the operations of the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “This future facility will help advance our vision of Milwaukee County becoming the healthiest county in the State of Wisconsin, and I’m grateful for the public-private partnership to generate a positive statewide impact.”
“The partnership between Versiti and Milwaukee County has saved countless lives through organ and tissue donation,” said Versiti president and CEO Chris Miskel. “The new forensic science building will ensure that the selfless gifts of organ and tissue donation continue to help patients right here in Wisconsin, as well as across the United States.”
Since December 2015, the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) has served as the key campus partner in the planning, design and implementation phases of the project, continuing MCW’s long-time partnerships with the state and county to improve the health of the community through expanded academic, training and research opportunities.
“This is a significant accomplishment for the Medical College of Wisconsin and all partners involved. We look forward to continued collaboration and impact across our education, clinical, research and community engagement pillars,” said MCW president and CEO John R. Raymond, Sr., MD. “We look forward to welcoming a new team of scientists to the MRMC campus who will strengthen existing connections and create new ones.”
The site for the new building is a 7.6-acre parcel within the MRMC at West Wisconsin Avenue and North 94th Street. The project team is led by C.D. Smith Construction and their development partners, Summit Smith Development and Royal Capital Group. The design team includes HGA Architects, Smith Group, Continuum, and Crime Lab Design. A spring 2026 opening is planned.
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For PHOTO SLIDESHOWS and more ABOUT the ORGANIZATIONS with CONTACT information, go to the original NOVEMBER 10, 2023 PRESS RELEASE blog post from Beneath the Hard Hat®.
