'Critical necessity': Leaders call for renovation of Milwaukee County Courthouse complex

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- On Monday, CBS 58 was part of a tour of the Milwaukee County Courthouse and the public safety building.

County Executive David Crowley and other officials led the tour. They were trying to make a point that the courthouse complex is in serious need of a makeover, for safety's sake.

"This building wasn't set up for criminal courts," said Inspector Dobson. "We have no secure way to get homicide suspects into a courtroom. We are using the same hallways as the general public. It is just not the safest way to do business."

A sheriff's inspector took our crew down the long hallways that connect jails and holding areas to courtrooms. 

The public safety building is almost 100 years old, and according to the county executive, it does not meet Supreme Court safety standards. 

He calls renovation and reconstruction a "critical necessity."

"This is a long process and a generational investment," said County Executive Crowley. "But the time for this facility is absolutely past due and justice cannot wait. And to be frank, our community cannot afford to delay this any longer."

Crowley wouldn't speculate on the cost of renovating the courthouse, but he did say that the longer it's delayed, the more expensive it becomes.