Thirteen videos that tell the story of Campbell County’s most ambitious capital project and the four agencies that will call it home.
Last month, Campbell County broke ground on one of the largest, most complex capital projects in its history.
The new Campbell County Public Safety Building — 58,000 square feet at 1114 Racetrack Road — will bring four county public safety agencies under one roof for the first time: the Police Department, the Office of Emergency Management, the Consolidated Dispatch Center, and the Coroner’s Office. Construction begins in September 2026 and runs 18 to 24 months.
The project was championed by Judge/Executive Steve Pendery and Commissioners Brian Painter, Tom Lampe, and Geoff Besecker. The county used a Construction Manager at Risk contract with Conger Construction Group, guaranteeing the final cost and protecting taxpayers from overruns.
The Campbell County Police Department Honor Guard presented the colors. Major Joshua D. Quinn, retired from the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, played the bagpipes. Officer Josh Wilhoit performed the national anthem. The Butler County Sheriff’s Office performed the helicopter flyover. Campbell Media produced the project videos. Three speakers, Judge/Executive Pendery, architect Larry Brandstetter, and Conger Construction Group President Justin Conger, delivered remarks before the ceremonial shovel turn that closed the formal program.
(Click on each image for a Facebook video)
Judge/Executive Steve Pendery
The Judge’s case for the project, made in his own words.
“This isn’t a building for today alone. It’s a promise to the future of Campbell County.”
Chief Craig Sorrell, Campbell County Police Department
40 officers. School Resource Officers in 6 schools. A police social worker program serving the unincorporated county, Bellevue, and Dayton. Computer forensic analysis for every police department in Campbell County.
“Having all these entities together is going to enhance our ability exponentially to provide services in a disaster.”
Sheriff Mike Jansen
A career built on cooperation with every police department, every city, and every agency serving Campbell County.
“When agencies work better together, the community always wins.”
Kim Dornheggen, Consolidated Dispatch Center
150,000 calls answered last year by Kim’s telecommunicators. The new dispatch center is purpose-built for the work.
“Before anyone sees a police officer, a firefighter, or a paramedic, they are going to hear one of my telecommunicators.”
William R. Turner, Office of Emergency Management
Co-locating Emergency Management and Dispatch under one roof means faster communication during disasters and better coordination with the public.
“We’re not building this facility for today, but for the long term.”
Coroner Mark Schweitzer
After years of renting space for storage, the Coroner’s Office moves into a home built specifically for its work.
“Having a purpose-built space means dignity for the people we serve, and for the work we do.”
Laurie Wilson, Police Social Worker Supervisor
The program follows up on calls that are social service-related and connects people with resources. The new building was designed with this work in mind.
“We’re not just building a police building. We’re building a public safety complex in the truest sense of that phrase.”
Judge/Executive Steve Pendery, Full Remarks
The Construction Manager at Risk contract. The four agencies that will share the building. What it means for 50 years of public safety in Campbell County.
“This is not just a building. It’s a culmination of a years-long process, step by considered step, and a statement about Campbell County’s values.”
Larry Brandstetter, Full Remarks
After 27 years working with Campbell County and over 200 public safety buildings designed across four states, the founder of Brandstetter Carroll Inc. on what a 21st-century public safety facility looks like.
“A successful community has great leadership, and Campbell County has great leadership. Campbell County leaders have transformed this community.”
Justin Conger, Full Remarks
Three pillars driving the work: commitment, character, and connection. As Construction Manager at Risk, Conger has guaranteed the final cost.
“The best two days of a construction project are the day you get started and the day you finish.”
The Complete Ceremony
The full ceremony video is now available. Every minute, every speaker, every moment — from the first welcome through the ceremonial shovel turn.
Thank You
Thank you to the Campbell County Police Department Honor Guard, Major Joshua D. Quinn, Officer Josh Wilhoit, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, the Northern Kentucky Health Department, the Office of Emergency Management, the Sheriff’s Office, the Police Social Workers, the Facilities and Roads Departments, and every county staffer who made the day possible.
Thank you to Campbell Media for capturing the day and producing the project video. Thank you to Conger Construction Group and Brandstetter Carroll Inc. for sponsoring the ceremony so that no taxpayer money was used for the event. Thank you to the full project team: KLH Engineers, KPFF Structural, Cardinal Engineering, UES Geotechnical, Otto Environmental, Frost Brown Todd, Gibbons Bond Council, RSA Advisors, and Colliers.
Thank you to every Campbell County resident who joined us at the groundbreaking. This building is for you.
We’re building the future of public safety together, and after years of planning and preparation, that future is coming at last into sight.”
— Judge/Executive Steve Pendery