MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley is praising Governor Tony Evers and the State of Wisconsin for approving additional funding to complete the future home of the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and Medical Examiner’s Office.
Last week, the Wisconsin State Building Commission approved funding for capital projects across the state, including for the Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility where, in addition to serving Milwaukee OEM and Medical Examiner’s Office, the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) will relocate the Milwaukee Crime Lab to replace an outdated, overcrowded, and deficient facility. The project creates synergy and advances forensic sciences into a modern, state-of-the-art facility. In addition, the four-story facility will include the relocated Versiti Blood Research Institute, a current Milwaukee Regional Medical Center campus partner.
“I commend Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin State Building Commission for deploying additional investments to construct the future Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility and enhance public safety throughout Milwaukee County,” said County Executive Crowley. “The future Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Center will become a regional public safety asset that will strengthen medical and emergency management capabilities throughout Wisconsin and allow for more efficient, cost-effective responses to emergency situations. I’m grateful for the public-private partnership that will generate a positive statewide impact through making this project a reality.”
The Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility is being funded with $99.5 million in state funds, approved in August 2022 by the Commission. After multiple previous attempts to move this project forward failed, in September 2022, Governor Evers announced an additional $20 million grant for Milwaukee County to assist in the construction of the facility. This additional investment ensured the project could meet the threshold needed to begin construction and prevented the project from once again being stalled. County Executive Crowley and Governor Evers participated in a groundbreaking event for the facility in November 2023.
“Whether it’s working to preserve and protect Wisconsin’s proud tradition of conservation that has defined our state for generations, upholding our commitment to support systems that address crime and keep kids, families, and communities safe, or investing in the higher education institutions that are key to the future economic growth and prosperity of our state, all of the projects approved by the Commission today get at the heart of many of our key priorities as a state,” said Governor Evers. “I am glad that my fellow bipartisan commissioners and I could find common ground in approving these funds so these important projects can move forward in communities across our state.”
The Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility is expected to be completed and operational by Spring 2026.
