Youth Service Center decision tops Bartholomew 2026 projects

Bartholomew County Commissioners say that deciding on what to do with the county’s youth service center will be one of the biggest challenges ahead in the New Year.

The existing building was constructed nearly 60 years ago and was never meant to be a detention facility. The facility houses juvenile defenders, but also shelters children in need of protection and offers day treatment programs.

Commissioners President Carl Lienhoop said last week that discussions are continuing behind the scenes on what to do with the aging facility off of Illinois Avenue. Last year, the county council approved up to $14 million dollars to solve the problem.

Initial proposals suggested last year were to build a new 22 thousand square foot facility with a $20 million price tag. But that was scaled back to a possible 17,000 square foot facility.

The county has also looked at whether it should outsource its youth detention facilities to another community.

Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County