Benton-Franklin Juvenile Justice Center remodel project underway
KENNEWICK, Wash. — The Benton-Franklin Juvenile Justice Center could be getting a fresh look after nearly 30 years with a proposed remodel project by Benton County.
The facility in Kennewick hasn't seen needed updates to the building since 1996. Officials from Benton County have been working on funding a remodel since last April.
The remodel will address foundation issues and necessary accommodations, for a projected cost of around $21 million. Officials for the project said the remodel will vastly improve operations for staff and the youth.
"Even the staff and the operation there working in a facility that's fairly run down any improvements that we do to this is going to be a major improvement to them and also the youth that are incarcerated there," Robert Blain, Benton County Director of Operations and Capital Programs said.
Although the remodel project isn't slated to begin until May 2024 at the earliest, the goal is that it will be completed in less than 18 months.
