Date:

September 18, 2005

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831

Don Killeen, Building Administrator, 441-7356

The main and upper floors of the Justice and Law Enforcement Center at 575 South 10th Street will reopen to employees with limited access to the public tomorrow, Monday, September 19. Work continues on the lower level, which was flooded when a water service line broke the evening of Wednesday, September 14.

Electricity and water service have been restored to the building, but those using the building are advised to drink bottled water until further notice. Only one of the four elevators may be operating. The elevator equipment was damaged by the flood. In the lower level, all damaged materials have been removed. Contractors will continue making repairs to the lower level Monday. No damage estimates are available at this time. The building and its contents are covered by insurance.

The Justice and Law Enforcement Center houses the 911 Emergency Communications Center, Lancaster County Emergency Management, the Lincoln Police Department, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, the City Law Department, the County Attorney’s Office, County and District Courts, courtrooms and judges. The Jail Complex at 605 South 10th and the County-City Building at 555 South 10th were unaffected by the water main break.

The 911 Center, Lincoln Police Department and Sheriff’s Office will continue to operate from back up locations. The non-emergency phone number for LPD is 441-7204, and the non-emergency number for the Sheriff’s Office is 441-6500.

Lancaster County Court proceedings will resume in the Justice and Law Enforcement Center. District Court also will reopen. Those contacted by the Jury Commissioner’s Office about proceedings under Judges Flowers and Burns are to follow the instructions given.