The American Correctional Association's Standards for Adult Community Residential Services guided the process. Safer used various departments of State, county, and city government to conduct free inspections to help bring the building up to code. As Safer expanded the renovation from floor to floor, it acted as its own general contractor until time pressures and construction complications dictated otherwise. By working with the community, Safer sought and received a zoning variance that would allow the building to be a penal institution. In 1986 Safer's Crossroads Community Correctional Center received its accreditation. In the course of the renovation, Safer rented the building from the YMCA and is now in the process of purchasing the building. The YMCA benefits by using the proceeds from the sale to build a new facility for the community. In 1985, at the request of the Illinois Department of Corrections, the fifth floor and roof were renovated and the bed count increased to 90. In 1988, the third floor was redone on schedule, and 60 beds for female residents were added.