Representatives from the Architecture and Engineering Firm RQAW requested permission from the Marshall County Commissioners Monday morning on whether or not to move to the next phase in the design aspect of the construction of a new inmate housing pod at the Marshall County Jail.
Jillynn Heck, Dustin Frye, and Eric Weflan spoke to the commissioners about the final pieces needed to finish the first phase of the design. Frye said they’ve completed the schematic design of the pod and need commissioner approval to move into the next phase of the design.
Eric Weflan said the next phase is design development.
“Design development is the systems that make up the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and all those things to get the design to a point where, from a cost-estimating standpoint, you’ve got some more details to continue to kind of evaluate where you are from a budget standpoint,” said Weflan.
Dustin Frye stressed that his new pod is similar to the design of the current inmate pod, however it is inmate cell space only.
“Completely full there’s about 300 beds that would be in that space, but from a cost perspective various pieces of the pie can be removed to ultimately fit what budget you guys would like in discussion with council. We can give the county ultimate flexibility in moving forward for not only today but for the future as it would be needed,” stated Frye.
Commission President Kevin Overmyer said alternate bids would be offered so it would coincide with the budget.
If the commissioners choose to keep moving forward with the construction of a new pod, this second phase of design would be approved at the end of the year, with estimate pricing in January. The design would be complete in March with bids collected shortly following that with construction beginning in early spring, but that is not finalized.
Public hearings will be held in the near future.
“The components of the public hearing are us presenting general components of the design. Your financial advisor would typically present to you their findings about not only hard construction costs, which are the bricks and mortar component, but then the operational side. Of course, then it’s opened up to comments.”
The precipitating factor behind the possible addition to the Marshall County Jail is inmate overcrowding.
The commissioners unanimously approved a motion to move to the next design phase of the project. Government leaders have not yet settled on a financing option for the jail with more information needed in the design phase.
The entire conversation can be heard during this Sunday’s Maximum Impact program on MAX 98.3 FM at noon.
