BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - City leaders are seeking $200,000 in state funding for critical improvements to the East Baton Rouge Juvenile Detention Center, a 65-year-old building with aging infrastructure.

Mayor Sid Edwards is asking the metro council to approve an agreement with the state for the funding to address what officials call critical building needs at the decades-old facility.

“The biggest challenge is just fighting the age of the building,” said Joseph Butler, the city-parish’s buildings and grounds director.

Building shows its age

The detention center still has its original plumbing, and Butler said pipes, electrical wiring, and windows are on the repair list. The building’s constant use adds to maintenance challenges.

“It’s used 24/7. So, you have a lot of just wear and te

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