Hall of Justice & Government Facilities

Ongoing Collaboration Since 1991

Overview

For more than three decades, Sinclair Hille Architects has served as a trusted design partner to Lancaster County and the City of Lincoln, providing comprehensive master planning, programming, renovations, expansions, and modernization services for the Lincoln/Lancaster County Hall of Justice, the Justice & Law Enforcement Center, the City/County Government Building, and multiple associated facilities.

Our work began in 1991 with the development of a 10-year Master Facilities Plan for over 40 government agencies — a plan that laid the groundwork for a long-term vision of improved functionality, public service, and operational efficiency. That foundational planning effort has since guided numerous major projects and facility improvements across the County’s justice, law enforcement, and administrative infrastructure.

Key Services Provided

• Master Planning & Facilities Assessments (1991, 2002, 2012, 2014). Conducted comprehensive assessments of existing facilities, projected future departmental growth over 20-year horizons, and developed actionable strategies for space allocation, departmental consolidation, and phased implementation.
• Justice & Law Enforcement Center Transformation. Led the renovation of the 210,000 SF City/County Building into a secure, modern Justice & Law Enforcement Center housing County, District, and Juvenile Courts; law enforcement offices; attorney offices; and an Emergency Communications Center. Design emphasized courtroom technology integration, secure circulation zones, and preservation of original architectural finishes.
• 911 Emergency Communications Center Expansion. Designed a significant expansion and technological modernization of the Lincoln/Lancaster County 911 Center, improving operational capacity, training areas, and critical infrastructure for public safety response.
• City/County Government Building Improvements. Provided ongoing planning, space studies, remodels, and infrastructure upgrades to optimize layouts, improve workflows, and support the evolving needs of government operations and public service delivery.
• Juvenile and District Courts Expansions. Programmed and designed new courtrooms, expanded chambers, clerk’s offices, and support areas to meet increasing caseload demands and accommodate enhanced security and operational requirements.
• Adaptive Reuse of the Lancaster County Adult Detention Facility. Conducted a detailed planning study to identify the highest and best use for the 115,000 SF former detention facility, developing phased adaptive reuse strategies for County departmental expansions.

Facilities Impacted

• Justice & Law Enforcement Center
• City/County Government Building
• 911 Emergency Communications Center
• Lancaster County Juvenile and District Courts
• 605 Building
• K Street Records Warehouse
• Community Mental Health Building
• 825 (Benesch) Building
• 900 Building
• District Energy Plant
• 10th & ‘H’ Street Parking Lot
• 8th & ‘H’ Street Parking Lot
• Courthouse Plaza
• Former Lancaster County Adult Detention Facility

Legacy of Impact

Sinclair Hille Architects’ enduring partnership with Lancaster County continues to enhance the safety, efficiency, and functionality of civic spaces that serve the public every day. Through thoughtful master planning, detailed facility assessments, and innovative design solutions, these projects reflect a deep commitment to responsive, long-term civic architecture.