Earlier,an Urban Land Institute commission hired by the city recommendedthe center be built on the site. The $378-million development isbelieved to be the largest single construction project pursued bythe city, outside of building Denver International Airport.

Early next year, construction will begin on the first phase--a600-car parking garage along West 14th Avenue. It will include a USPostal Service office building. The 1,500-bed jail will be housedin a 508,000-sf building. The complex also will include asix-story, 320,000-sf criminal courthouse with 35 courtrooms.

Construction on the jail and courthouse will begin in late 2007or early 2008, with a completion date in 2009. Plans also call forrenovating and constructing a 384-bed facility at a current countyjail on Smith Road. Several of the old buildings along Smith Roadwill be demolished.