District 19 Medical Examiner Facility Groundbreaking Ceremony, June 30, 2026

The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners held a groundbreaking ceremony on June 30, 2026, for the new District 19 Medical Examiner Facility, which will serve four counties: Okeechobee, Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River. The event featured remarks from county commissioners, state legislators, the medical examiner, and representatives from Indian River State College, the architect firm JL2 Architects, and the construction company Charles Perry Partners. The project, funded through a combination of state appropriations and county contributions, aims to replace an outdated facility with a modern forensic center equipped with advanced autopsy suites, family meeting rooms, and law enforcement spaces. The construction is expected to take approximately fourteen months, with a focus on enhancing public safety, scientific rigor, and compassionate service to the community. Key procurement details include the selection of Charles Perry Partners as the construction firm and JL2 Architects as the design firm, with project management led by Scottie Baloo.