Please join the City of Valparaiso and project partners for The Linc and Lincoln Highway Garage Groundbreaking Ceremony and Reception on Thursday, September 14, 2023. The groundbreaking event will start at 2 pm located at 217 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso, IN 46383. Please RSVP to Marci Palmer at [email protected] Street parking is available. Lots are available at Michigan & Indiana, and on Morgan (between Indiana and Monroe).
As the first annual RQAW Civil Engineering Scholarship kicks off at Indiana State University, the AEC firm is happy to announce that junior, Zachary Braun, has been chosen as this year’s scholarship recipient. Braun’s passion for mathematics and physics as well as his desire to make a difference in the lives of others inspired him to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering Technology. When talking about what the scholarship means to him, Braun said, “Receiving this scholarship opens up so many doors for me. Not only will this dramatically change my financial plan for the upcoming year, but it also means the world to me that it is coming from a company specific to my major.” After graduation, Braun hopes to put his degree to work at an engineering firm that is the right fit for him, wherever that may take him. RQAW‘s CEO/President, Troy Woodruff, noted that the concerning shortage of professional engineers in the state of Indiana became a catalyst in creating this scholarship for Indiana State University. “We must be producing not only highly-skilled engineers, but we need to keep them here in Indiana.” Additionally, Woodruff looks forward to seeing how RQAW’s scholarship will positively impact other civil engineering students, like Braun, for years to come. “Indiana State University is a place that is very important to me. It was the place that prepared me for my own professional career. If I can give back and help pay it forward, then I want to help with that.”
RQAW engineer Aaron Crow, PE managed a multi-stage plan which exceeded the projected goal, saving the city of Alexandria, Indiana $22 million. Through the focused efforts of Crow and his team, additional phases of the project were no longer needed, which mitigated any additional cost. Crow’s efforts were recognized by the City of Alexandria and covered by the Herald Bulletin. Click here to read the full story.
RQAW is working with Garmong Construction to deliver Gibson County’s new 42,000-square-foot Sheriff’s Office and Jail. The new facility, located in Princeton, Indiana, will accommodate more than 200 beds and the County’s Sherriff’s office. The overall design concept provides a modern take on the original jail’s exterior design. The Gibson County Jail project is scheduled to start in late 2022 and open in the summer of 2024. Connect with us on LinkedIn.
With over 30 years of extensive involvement in all aspects of jail design at RQAW | DCCM, I have observed a remarkable evolution of county jails, from basic incarceration facilities to ones that offer a more comprehensive approach to rehabilitation and reduction in recidivism. Utilization of advanced construction systems, modularization, and technology has expanded the capabilities of jails, beyond what was possible a few decades ago. However, the constantly changing correctional design environment due to alterations in legislation, inmate populations, budgets, and resources has necessitated constant adaptation. In the last five years, RQAW | DCCM has taken proactive steps towards developing a fully customizable, fully self-contained podular design. This design not only provides our clients with a tailored, cost-effective solution but also addresses programmatic and staff efficiency needs during a time of reduced workforces and heightened awareness of wellness and well-being. (See Figure 1) Figure 1 RQAW | DCCM’s innovative approach to housing pod design allows for up to 300+ inmates around a single elevated control room, with complete sight and sound separation for up to 12 smaller classification units. With a more diverse population, the need for smaller treatment units has been greater than ever. Our designs provide more normalized environment, with all the required support and treatment spaces within the housing unit including classrooms, video arraignment, interview rooms, isolation/padded cells, and medical spaces. Controlled access allows for self-directed movement of inmates, leading to fewer opportunities for conflict and better utilization of staff. A mix of 2-person and 4-person cells and dormitories provides incentivized options for inmates as they move through the system toward becoming productive and responsible members of society. (See Figure 2 & 3) Figure 2Figure 3 Looking ahead, we believe that the “jail of tomorrow” must have a more focused attention to the restoration of the human spirit for those incarcerated. There have been ongoing discussions around deinstitutionalization, but designers must find ways to contribute to it. We need to be innovative visionaries that help with the problem. The facilities of the future must allow for a multi-faceted approach to the underlying problems causing such a large increase in our incarcerated population. Facilities need to be able to address the entire process from onboarding to outboarding, placing greater emphasis on creating Intervention Centers, which will provide opportunities for trained professionals to fully understand the scope and cause of the problem. This approach allows for early classification and implementation of a targeted-care perspective. It is vital that our jail designs shift toward smaller, more specialized facilities in a campus-like environment that provide better care for inmates with specific needs, such as mental health issues or substance abuse problems. (See Figure 4 & 5) Figure 4 Figure 5 Mental health facilities are changing how county jails function by providing specialized care for inmates with mental health issues, but they will have to be more involved at the county jail level. This could involve offering counseling services, medication management, and other forms of treatment to help address their mental health needs. Mental health facilities are also changing how county jails approach discipline and punishment. Instead of relying solely on punitive measures such as solitary confinement, jails are increasingly using therapeutic approaches to address behavioral issues. Moreover, there must be an increased focus on restorative justice, which aims to repair harm caused by criminal behavior through a collaborative process involving the victim, the offender, and the community. This process would involve more restorative justice programs being offered within county jails as well as a greater emphasis on community-based alternatives to incarceration. (See Figure 6) Figure 6 RQAW | DCCM is committed to being the leader in providing viable, innovative solutions to address the evolving future of jails, as we grapple with changing laws and ideologies. We believe that our design expertise in the “jail of tomorrow” will bring positive impacts to the lives of inmates, the staff, and the community at large.
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) is providing aid in the amount of $130 B to help local counties, cities, and towns mitigate damage from the COVID-19 pandemic. Smaller communities should expect to receive the first half of funds directly from the State between May 11th and August 9th. Larger communities will collect money directly from the Treasury. The second tranche will be delivered no earlier than one year from the receipt of the first payment. Curious what your county, city, or town will receive? Indiana state and local allocations can be found here: https://www.in.gov/sboa/files/Copy-of-State-and-Local-Allocation-Output-03.08.21-3.xlsx How can I use these funds? Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.* Increase hourly wages above the base hourly wage for essential employees or issue a grant to their employers. Reimburse revenue spent on certain COVID-19 expenses directly related to the pandemic. Provide aid to private employers directly impacted by the pandemic. What other information should I know? According to the information provided in the ARP, each community must have a separate account to receive the funds. Entitlement cities, larger ones receiving funds direct from the Treasury, will need to ensure they have an active SAM registration on sam.gov. Non-entitlement communities need a valid DUNS number which is a nine-character number from Dun & Bradstreet. If your community collects more than $750,000 of federal assistance in a calendar year, the money will go through a “single audit” by the State Board of Accounts. Funds from the ARP are included along with other federal grants, funds, and awards to reach this total. Plan to keep thorough records. The Treasury will require periodic reports on how funds are being utilized and may even continue for years after the money has been spent. Unlike funds received in previous COVID-19 relief bills that do not have a deadline, ARP money must be spent by December 31, 2024. Next Steps Develop a plan for your community to use the funds. Determine local goals and how to achieve them, and list by priority. Strategically combine with other funding options. This allocation may be able to benefit your community more by incorporating other relief bill capital and utilizing other grant and loan options. Share your success with residents and neighbors! *The statute states that the allowable infrastructure includes water, sewer, or broadband. It is unclear at this point if waste and stormwater are allowable uses. As for other infrastructure projects, we will have to wait for Treasury guidance to see what is considered a permissible use. https://www.nlc.org/covid-19-pandemic-response/arp-local-relief-frequently-asked-questions/#how-to-funds
A long-awaited and much-needed expansion of the Johnson County jail has been given the final approval it needs, and county officials can now look for a company to do the work. The Johnson County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved plans for the expansion during a special meeting on Monday. The addition to the existing jail was designed by RQAW Corp., a Fishers-based architecture and engineering firm. Now, the county will use the approved plans to solicit bids for the multi-million dollar expansion. The county will likely select a contractor next month, and construction is expected to begin next spring. The expansion will take a year to a year and a half to complete, commissioner Kevin Walls said. The exact cost of the jail will not be known until a bid is accepted during a public meeting, Walls said. Latest estimates put the cost between $20 million and $25 million, and the Johnson County Council passed a local income tax earlier this year to pay for the expansion. It took effect last week. For years, county officials and multiple sheriffs have grappled with how to address a chronic overcrowding issue at the jail. In 2010, voters rejected a $23 million referendum that would have added 400 beds to the existing 322 beds at the jail on Hospital Road in Franklin. Since then, the state has ordered the county to remedy the jail’s overcrowding issues. A committee made up of county leaders, judges and law enforcement professionals who spent years studying how to fix the jail overcrowding decided expanding the existing facility would be the best option. The expansion includes adding 264 beds in a new wing of the jail and pull-in bays for arresting officers, and revamping the intake and medical areas of the jail. The expansion’s main feature is a new building that will be built to the west of the existing jail, connected by a walkway. The addition will include about 74 new cells on two floors. Those cells will be designed to hold two, four or six inmates, depending on size, Walls said. The expansion will also feature a central command center, which is a raised tower in the middle of all the cells so jail workers can monitor and see all the inmates at all times, Walls said. Medical rooms and a three bay pull-in for arresting officers is also being added. The jail’s intake center will also be revamped as part of the plans. Read the original article, posted on the Daily Journal here.
On Friday, June 28th, excited citizens and county officials gathered to celebrate the opening of Hamilton County’s new jail addition. This new portion of the structure integrates with the existing and adds 120 beds to the overall facility with future planning of Phase 2 that will add 136 more beds. This was a much-awaited event as the new facility provides safety and alleviates overcrowding, but also provides an opportunity to focus more on inmate rehabilitation. A key speaker at the ceremony, Sheriff Dennis Quakenbush, spoke about the rapid growth of Hamilton County and commented further on how the expansion of the jail will provide pathways to recovery and rehabilitation of inmates. He went on to say, “The strong relationships with the community and its non-profit and corporate partners are a direct correlation to keeping Hamilton County a safe place to live.” Another speaker during the ceremony, Commissioner Steve Dillinger stated, “We have taken all the right avenues to be proactive and keep Hamilton County the safe place that it is.” One of the main focal points of RQAW’s design for the new addition was to create better efficiency and safety for both staff and inmates. Security is controlled by state-of-the-art technology and a single control point. This design allows up to 11 classifications with natural daylighting, calming colors, and future beds without the need to increase staff. This new expansion is a self-contained pod with classrooms, medical space, isolation rooms, interview rooms, and padded cells. Maintenance can be done utilizing a rear chase access. All work can be completed safely outside the secure perimeter without inmate interference or disruption.
Last Friday, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Christopher Kelley Leader Development Program (CKLDP) hosted the inaugural class of the Indiana chapter at RQAW’s Fishers location. The session explored AIA CKLDP’s concept of “Expanding the Definition of Practice.” The year-long program helps develop architecture leaders by focusing on skills such as management, collaboration, negotiation, industry trends, client growth, and entrepreneurship. Program attendees are emerging professionals who will be the next generation of leaders in architecture. RQAW’s Victoria Templeton, AIA and Elevatus Architecture’s Todd Adams, AIA planned April’s session by coordinating speakers and sponsors for the event. Some of the speakers included: Matthew Bartlett, AIA RID, Director of Small Projects and Internal Design at Indiana University and Co-founder of the ACE Mentoring Program; Justin Ferguson, PhD, AIA NOMA, Assistant Dean at Ball State University and mentor with Project Lead the Way; and Richard Belbutoski, corporate volunteer outreach and engagement coordinator at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana. These speakers focused on the need to mentor the next generation of architects. Additionally, Dustin Headley from Turf, spoke about trending alternative architectural career paths, and Jason Shelley, Executive Director of AIA Indiana, discussed how AIA impacts our everyday practice and ways we can advocate for architecture. Each discussion led by the speakers encouraged participants to reflect on their career path and inspired them to focus on the future of architectural leadership needs.
DUBOIS COUNTY, IN (MAR. 22, 2019) – Very rough construction estimates for expanding the Dubois County Security Center range from $15 to $20 million. And expanding Dubois County Community Corrections is estimated to cost between $1.7 and $2 million. The numbers are very preliminary, RQAW architect Sanjay Patel told the justice center study committee Thursday. “This information is preliminary, when we’re talking about staffing and cost, and operational costs,” he said. “It’s still a work in progress. But I wanted to get you up to speed as to where we are and what we’ve been thinking of in terms of cost.” The group is researching the cost to expand the security center, which has on overcrowding problem. County officials started looking into the matter after receiving a notice about the problem from the Indiana Department of Correction in 2017. A state law that went into effect in 2018 requires a feasibility study be done before any new construction or remodeling can be done to a jail facility. The study must consider the needs of a facility, including size, location, staff and alternatives to incarceration. RQAW of Fishers was hired in December to conduct the study. So far, RQAW has looked at various statistics from the security center and other county departments, as well as space needs for each. Patel and RQAW architectural intern Cole Walters have sent some of that information to committee members. At Thursday’s meeting, Walters presented some of the preliminary conclusions from that study. From the Dubois County Herald. Read the full article by Candy Neal here.
