Watertown, SD

The future of public safety in Codington County is becoming increasingly visible as construction continues on the new 59,906 SF Jail and Law Enforcement Center. Designed to support the county’s long-term detention and law enforcement needs, the facility will provide 112 beds, dedicated intake and booking areas, administrative offices, support spaces, and the infrastructure needed to serve the community for decades.

Since our last update, the project has reached several major milestones. All footings and foundations are complete, allowing the structure to rapidly take shape. Crews are currently erecting structural steel and precast panels throughout the male housing area on the north side of the building, while concrete floor slabs are being placed in the laundry, booking, kitchen, and women’s housing areas. Roofing activities and construction of the second-floor mechanical penthouse are also well underway.

One of the more unique challenges on this project occurred early in construction due to the site’s proximity to the Watertown Municipal Airport. Coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was required before certain work could begin. Although the federal government shutdown in late 2025 extended the permitting process to nearly four and a half months and required coordination through multiple FAA contacts, our Lean Construction scheduling practices kept the project on schedule and allowed construction to move forward without impacting the overall timeline.

As more of the building comes into view each week, the project reflects the careful planning, coordination, and teamwork required to deliver a complex public safety facility.