| Year | Project | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-2020 | Knox County Jail & Corrections Needs Assessment | RQAW conducted a detailed study to evaluate jail overcrowding, staffing, and future facility needs. Cost ? |
| 202-2021 | Pantheon Business & Innovation Theatre | RQAW supported the transformation of the historic Patheon Theatre into a co-working and innovation space through design consultation (city-county partnership). Cost ? |
| 2020-2022 | Knox County Jail Expansion | RQAW designed and oversaw a major $36 million expansion of the jail including a new medical unit, updated intake areas, and added housing capacity. |
| 201-2023 | Riverwalk Trail Plazas (Vincennes) | Designed and completed Phase I & II of public plazas along the Vincennes Riverwalk to enhance tourism and downtown engagement. $16.6 million dollar project. |
| 2024-2025 (in progress) | Emergency Operations Center (EOC) | RQAW is designing a new EOC and 911 communication center. Core drilling completed with bids to be opened June 30, 2025. Design costs already include a $250,000 fee just to move the project to the bidding phase. |
What’s Next? Another New Building.
The latest project on the table is a new Emergency Operations Center, which will house the county’s 911 system. The bids for construction are scheduled to be opened tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. at the Knox County Jail.
Here’s something to think about: just putting this project out for bid cost the County $250,000 — before a single brick has been laid. That’s money already spent, and we haven’t even seen the final price tag yet.
Why This Matters
These projects aren’t small upgrades — they’re long-term financial commitments that impact your property taxes and the county’s debt load. Tracking this timeline helps explain why assessed values and tax burdens are rising in step with construction and expansion. 75% of your property tax money is going to the Criminal Justice system while we continue to lock-up a diminishing population of people. RQAW home office is in Fishers, Indiana with small offices in Vincennes and LaPorte, Indiana.