County buys Cape building to consolidate juvenile court services

The Cape Girardeau County Commission announced Friday the purchase of a building in Cape Girardeau to provide office and court space for juvenile department employees of the 32nd Judicial Circuit.

The building at 2137 Rust Ave., off South Kingshighway and near the Shawnee Parkway intersection, allows the department to provide services and court proceedings in one location. It has been operating out of county-provided space in two locations since 1990, according to a news release from the county.

The former detention center at 325 Merriwether St. in Cape Girardeau was built in 1971 and converted into a secure facility without office space in 1990. The building ceased to function as a detention facility in December 2011 and was converted to office space and storage. Juvenile employees also have been operating from office space in the Common Pleas annex building in Cape Girardeau since 1990.

The Merriwether Street detention center was one of several in the state shut down after state budget cuts in 2011. Juvenile offenders who need to be detained are sent to remaining detention facilities in Southeast Missouri, such as those in Mississippi and Stoddard counties.

Funds to buy the $505,000 building on Rust Avenue came from the 2011 refinancing of bonds used to build the county jail in 2002. The facility should be operational by May, according to the news release. Built between 1996 and 1997, the 10,000-square-foot building has served as the location of a broadcast-equipment supplier.

The 32nd Judicial Circuit includes Cape Girardeau, Bollinger and Perry counties, all of which share costs to operate the facility and its services.

"As a judge, I am always concerned about the safety of the individuals who come to court and maintaining confidentiality in the cases which require it," Associate Circuit Judge Scott Lipke said in the news release. "This new location and consolidation of services under one roof will address both of those concerns."

In previous interviews with the Southeast Missourian, Lipke has noted his concern for lack of privacy and crowded conditions facing juvenile cases heard in the Common Pleas Courthouse. The courthouse also is the location for adult court proceedings, and no secure area is available to separate juvenile victims or suspects.

Associate Commissioner Charlie Herbst said many county officials share Lipke's concern and pointed out it's not uncommon to see 50 to 75 people in the courthouse foyer during court proceedings.

The need for consolidated office space for the juvenile department has been a hot topic among commissioners for many years, Herbst said. Funding was often a barrier in the past, and he said funds for capital improvements made available from the jail bond financing made it possible for the county to make the buy it.

Moving into an existing building, rather than building a new one, also is to the county's benefit, he said.

"The building at 2137 Rust met the size requirements and floor plan to meet the needs of the juvenile staff and programs," Herbst said. "The building is located on two acres of property in a professional office and industrial area, [and] there will be ample space for parking."

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

2137 Rust Ave., Cape Girardeau, Mo.