Juvenile correctional facility to open in 2026 after Milwaukee approves project.

• Author: Duran, Ethan

Byline: Bridgetower Media Newswires

By Ethan Duran

eduran@dailyreporter.com

The Milwaukee Common Council has approved a zoning change for a new juvenile justice center on the city's northwest side. The new facility is meant to replace the Copper Lake and Lincoln Hills schools in Irma after years of abuse and misconduct allegations.

The Common Council voted 9-2 earlier this week to allow the Wisconsin Department of Corrections to build a 32-room juvenile justice center at 7930 W. Clinton Ave. DOC Secretary Kevin Carr said at a previous city meeting the facility would be operational in 2026 and would have better outcomes to rehab recidivist youth in the area.

"Lincoln Hills, Copper Lake, is geographically isolated, making it extremely difficult for the youth to maintain relationships with their communities and their families back home," the corrections secretary said."Maintaining those relationships is a key component to reducing recidivism and keeping youth from entering the adult criminal justice system."

The facility will open years after the deadline lawmakers set to close the existing schools in Irma. Former Gov. Scott Walker signed an agreement to close Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake by January 2021, but the deadline had to be extended due to lack of funding, Wisconsin Public Radio reported.

The department didn't get the funding it needed to move forward with building until lawmakers passed Act 252 last spring, Carr said.

Around 80 youths reside at the Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake facilities and spent...