Pieper O'Brien Herr Architects designed the 41,416 SF Duluth Public Safety Center. The building provides a new Municipal Court and a central station for the Police. While strong consideration was given to the idea of completely separate facilities, one building was ultimately chosen by the city primarily for more economical operating costs. The selected design responded to the city’s desire for some visual separation of these two important civic functions: Courts and Police.
The sizeable lobby allows for processing of hundreds of participants on court dates. As you enter the facility, the court facilities, including a 250-seat courtroom. The court spaces include judge’s chambers, probation and solicitor’s offices, as well as other office space for support functions.The Police Headquarters is located to the right when you enter the building and also occupy the basement floor. Spaces include firing range and storage, crime lab, photo lab, interview rooms, break room, locker rooms with showers, supply and storage space. The bottom floor houses the training room, where a sophisticated computer system virtually re-creates unlimited situation that could confront an officer on the beat.