Months of federal red tape slowed the new Jackson County Juvenile Services Center, but the first shovels of dirt will be moved in a ceremony Monday.

Dave Kanner, deputy county administrator, said county planning commissioners and citizens who worked to approve a bond measure for the project will be on hand for the beginning of the expected $16 million project.

A groundbreaking for the new center will be held 1 p.m. Monday at 10th and King streets in Medford.

"This is an opportunity for the community to congratulate itself for getting to this point," said Kanner.

County officials had to wait four months for federal approval of the project’s environmental assessment, Kanner said.

"We literally couldn’t spend any money from the time we submitted the assessment until the time we got a letter that gave us the go ahead," said Kanner.

"There was a whole humungous pile of hoops to go through," said Dave Straus of the Medford architecture firm Skelton, Straus and Seibert.

Despite the lengthy process of gaining federal approval, Straus says there is much to be celebrated.

"I think Jackson County has a real asset here. It’s good value for the money spent," said Straus.

According to Straus, the building will be constructed of mostly steel and concrete to cut down on maintenance costs and to increase its longevity.

The first floor of the new center will house court and intake facilities, a classroom, a public area and a probation and assessment department. The second floor will contain two detention "pods," each with 20 beds, a classroom and a dayroom.

Straus said the center’s original plan was about 51,000 square feet. The project now includes 65,000 square feet, adding a gymnasium. The center’s costs will not exceed the current bond. He also mentioned that the center will be built for later expansion.

Kanner says the project will formally start on Thursday with T. Gerdin Construction excavating in the northwest corner of the site.

It’s expected to be finished by August 2004.

Reach news intern Justin Dalton by calling 776-4477