WATERTOWN, S.D.—Construction on public safety infrastructure in Watertown has reached a major structural milestone with a traditional topping-out ceremony for the new Codington County Jail and Law Enforcement Center.
Project stakeholders, county officials, and construction crews gathered at the greenfield site on the western edge of the city to sign the final piece of structural steel. A crane then hoisted the beam into place, officially wrapping up the vertical framing phase of the 60,000-square-foot facility.
The collaborative project brings together a specialized team of industry leaders. Architecture Incorporated provided the facility’s design, while The Tegra Group serves as the project manager. Beckenhauer Construction, Inc. is managing the build as the general contractor.
Once completed, the modern L-shaped complex will significantly expand the county’s detention and administrative capabilities. It features a total 112-bed capacity—allocated across 88 male beds, 20 female beds, and 4 juvenile beds—alongside secure intake areas, support spaces, and official headquarters for the Codington County Sheriff’s Office.
With the primary skeletal frame now complete, work on the job site will transition to interior installations, roofing, electrical and mechanical systems, and exterior detailing. Project leaders anticipate that construction will stay on track through the remaining phases, with the facility officially opening its doors to serve the community in mid-2027.
