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Juvenile justice center set to open this summer

The $7 million SPLOST-funded juvenile justice facility is set to open this summer.
Credit: Tom George
Adopted and foster kids help put some finishing touches on the juvenile facility

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The new juvenile justice center in Macon won't be ready for a few more months, but Tuesday, several kids helped put on some of the finishing touches.

Several adopted and foster kids placed their hand prints in the cement in front what will become the new juvenile justice facility on Oglethorpe St.

The hand prints symbolize the importance of permanence in childrens' lives.

Currently, the juvenile court is located on the 5th floor of the Bibb County Courthouse, and offices for some of the District Attorney's office juvenile staff, and sheriffs office are in other locations.

"We realized years ago that the facilities at the courthouse were not adequate in many ways," says Juvenile Court Judge Thomas Matthews.

After planning a new facility, voters approved a $7 million funding plan as part of the the SPLOST passed in the 2012 election.

The new building will house a juvenile courtroom, offices for DA and Sheriff's office staffers, and several holding cells for juvenile offenders.

The location is also across the street from DFCAS, which often works with the juvenile department.

The new facility will be open by the end of this summer.

Follow 13WMAZ's Tom George on Twitter @thetomgeorge

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