Watertown, SD

Beckenhauer Construction recently joined community leaders, county officials, and law enforcement representatives to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Codington County Jail and Law Enforcement Center in Watertown, South Dakota. The event marked the official start of a project that will significantly expand and modernize correctional and public safety facilities for the county.

The 59,900 SF new build will include housing and support spaces designed to meet current and future needs. The facility will feature 88 beds for male housing, 20 beds for female housing, and 4 beds for juvenile housing, along with associated intake, support, processing, and office spaces. Additional project components include new parking areas and two detention ponds around the site, ensuring both accessibility and effective stormwater management.

Construction is now well underway. Following the August 18th groundbreaking, crews are preparing the site for footings and foundation concrete pours, while also developing temporary site access roads and installing underground utilities. These early stages are critical for setting the groundwork of the facility and ensuring that construction progresses smoothly.

A particularly interesting feature of the project is its specialized support spaces. The facility will house multiple equipment rooms, including laundry and food service areas that require recessed slab-on-grade construction, as well as elevated concrete slabs for the secure control rooms. These design elements highlight the complexity of the project and the high level of coordination required to bring it to life.

The new Codington County Jail and Law Enforcement Center will not only provide safe and efficient housing but also integrate essential support services within one modern facility. With work now progressing on site, this project represents a major step forward for the community’s public safety infrastructure and Beckenhauer Construction is proud to play a part in making it a reality.