Dormitory Authority Issues RFQ on $245-Million Westchester Juvenile Detention Facility Project
By JOHN JORDAN
ALBANY—The New York State Dormitory Authority issued a Request for Qualifications on Nov. 4 for what will be a Design/Build project for the design and construction of a new Secure/Specialized Secure Youth Detention Facility located in Westchester County.
The project to eventually replace the county’s Woodfield Cottage juvenile detention facility at the Grasslands complex in Valhalla, NY with a larger detention complex is part of the state’s mandated “Raise the Age” program issued on April of 2017 whereby 16- and 17-year-old felons are to be removed from the adult population in jails and be housed separately in existing Juvenile Detention Facilities under a separate new category called “Adolescent Offenders.”
Up until now, Westchester County has been sending overflow Adolescent Offenders to other facilities throughout the state that are able to provide the appropriate housing. However, the high cost and inconvenience factors have necessitated the need for a larger regional facility.
With the state’s support, Westchester County has been granted considerations to design and build a new facility on the grounds of its existing Woodfield Cottage Facility located at 20 Hammond House Road in Valhalla. The new facility will contain a maximum of 80 beds for youth. The Woodfield Cottage center currently can accommodate 24 youth.
A Westchester County spokesperson told CONSTRUCTION NEWS that the county has an agreement with the Dormitory Authority for DASNY to act as the county’s financier and design/build project manager for the Woodfield Cottage raise the age replacement facility.
“Having the new facility built in an expedited fashion, which the New York State Office of Children and Family Services desires, requires the utilization of alternative project delivery which the county does not have the authority to do,” the spokesperson stated.
The county and DASNY had previously procured Urbahn Consultants as a bridge consultant to develop preliminary plans up to 30% design. That stage has been completed.
The next phase is for the team of DASNY and the county to procure a design build contractor. The RFQ issued by DASNY is soliciting project teams who may have the qualifications to be short-listed to receive the RFP in the spring. The project estimate is $245 million to respond to the requirements of OCFS and New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. As per the Raise the Age legislation, the state will reimburse 82% of the costs. It is anticipated that construction will start in 2027.
Interested Design Teams have until Dec. 11, 2026 to submit responses to the RFQ.
According to the RFQ, the existing Woodfield Cottage facility will remain in full operation during construction of the new youth detention building. The Design Builder will be responsible for maintaining secure separation between construction areas within the active facility during all stages of construction. Once the new facility is completed, youth will be transferred to the new building and demolition of the old building will begin. Once demolition is finished, outdoor recreation facilities and parking lots will be constructed for the new facility.
Following receipt of the submitted Statement of Qualifications, an established Evaluation Committee will identify a shortlist of Design-Build Teams that will continue with the development process for the project. The shortlisted Teams will be provided with a future Request for Proposal that will include the Bridging Documents for the overall project on which to fully develop a response to the RFP.
The current project timeline calls for the issuance of the Final Bridging Documents and the issuance of the RFP on March 1, 2026. The selection of the winning Design-Build team is set for July 31, 2026 with the design phase starting on Aug. 1, 2026. County officials stated that construction should begin by 2027.
Construction will be completed in phases—Phase 1 by Aug. 10, 2029; Phase 2 by March 15, 2030 and Phase 3 (Sitework) finished by Sept. 13, 2030.
Published: November 17, 2025.