Pioneering Innovation in Correctional Facility Design and Construction
Motor City Electric Co. (MCE) partnered with Barton Malow to provide comprehensive preconstruction and construction electrical contracting services for the Wayne County Criminal Justice Center (WCCJC). This state-of-the-art complex, located on 11 acres at East Warren Avenue near the I-75 service drive in Detroit, features six modern buildings: a new courthouse replacing the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, the Adult Detention Facility (ADF), Juvenile Detention Facility (JDF), an administration building housing the Wayne County Sheriff and Prosecutor offices, and a Central Utility Plant.
Project Scope and Impact
The WCCJC brings together these essential facilities in one central location, spanning over 1.2 million square feet of space, offering 1,300 parking spaces, and fostering new real-estate opportunities within the city. The project was initially budgeted for $60 million in electrical costs, with the final electrical budget totaling $80.5 million. The center includes a wide range of advanced features, such as on-site medical services, an enclosed tunnel for inmate transport between facilities, and comprehensive security systems.
Commitment to Local Businesses and Safety
MCE was proud to work alongside strategic partners, including Edgewood Electric LLC, Best Network Design and Associates, and Williams Electrical and Telecommunications Co., ensuring significant involvement of Detroit-based and minority-owned businesses. Together, MCE and its subsidiaries—Motor City Electric Technologies (MCET) and Rotor Electric of Michigan—handled more than 85% of the electrical and electronic services for the project. With over 485,000 man-hours logged without any lost-time incidents, the project highlighted MCE’s commitment to safety.
Wayne County Criminal Justice Center (WCCJC)
2023
$80.5 Million
Key Electrical Installations
The electrical systems required for this comprehensive justice center included a wide range of advanced technologies. MCE and MCET’s contributions encompassed:
Design Innovation and Prefabrication
MCE’s engineering team collaborated closely with HOK, the Engineer of Record, to perform design-assist work, conducting constructability reviews at various stages of design. This collaboration led to the resolution of emerging challenges in real-time. Utilizing LOD 400 BIM modeling, the team created detailed shop and installation drawings, ensuring smooth field installation.
The Pre-Fabrication and Fabrication Departments played a pivotal role by designing and producing overhead racks for cable trays, branch and feeder conduit, as well as in-wall assemblies for precast panels and interior stud walls. Prefabrication allowed MCE to streamline construction, balancing peak manpower demands, improving on-site safety, and offering innovative solutions to complex problems.
Challenges and Solutions
From its Pre-Con Kick-Off in August 2018 to the project’s completion in April 2023, the WCCJC faced several challenges, including tight construction timelines, a constrained site footprint, and COVID-19-related supply chain issues. The project’s complexity was further heightened by the correctional facility standards, including the extensive use of GRS conduit, tamper-proof receptacles, correctional-grade lighting, and fire alarm solutions.
The aesthetic appeal of the facility was also a key factor in its design. Featuring a scalloped façade with contrasting white and black tones in precast insulated panels, the campus maintains a cohesive architectural look across its six buildings. This design creates a visually distinct yet unified identity for the WCCJC.
Modular Construction for Efficiency
An innovative approach to construction was adopted through the use of pre-manufactured jail cells, which were assembled offsite and required only final connections once placed in the facility. This modular construction significantly improved installation efficiency, reducing on-site labor and time.
Additionally, the Emergency Distributed Antenna System (EDAS) was implemented from the design stage, ensuring enhanced communication and safety for both occupants and first responders.
A Major Step for Wayne County
The Wayne County Criminal Justice Center stands as a model for efficient, innovative, and modern criminal justice facilities. The consolidation of several scattered facilities into a single campus has streamlined operations for Wayne County, offering significant operational efficiencies and a safer, more integrated environment for both staff and inmates.
This project underscores MCE’s extensive capabilities, commitment to safety, and its role in transforming the landscape of Detroit’s infrastructure. The WCCJC represents the future of correctional facilities, combining cutting-edge technology with efficient, sustainable construction practices.
