VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – The Vigo County Jail, which county officials have been ordered to construct by a Federal Judge, will cost a little over $56 million.
The original cost estimate was around $60 million.
“We probably did about two million dollars in cuts that we had to do,” explained Vigo County Commissioner President Brad Anderson. “Or a million and a half, somewhere in that area.”
Cuts were made to the Sally Port bays, electric panels and alarm systems, all of which commissioners believe can be maintained in house.
County Councilman Chris Switzer was happy to see the construction cost come down.
“Looking at the design of the jail, I think that was a pretty good cut or cost decrease,” he said. “I’m glad they did the smaller sally ports, I don’t think five was really necessary.”
Commissioners are confident this jail design is flexible enough to update if need be.
“To get a good jail we want to do this right this time. And so hopefully we’ll never have to do it again,” explained Anderson. “The design also is capable of adding two more pods if we ever need to.”
Local companies will be working on the jail, which will increase business in Vigo County.
“It’s great. You know Garmong selected I believe four, maybe three contractors, with a total of $30 million out of $56 million project that will stay local,” said Switzer.
Over two years have been spent on this jail project, and county officials are happy to see a resolution.
Anderson went on to explain we may see a groundbreaking by December.
“It’s a relief to finally get this going. Because of the lawsuits,” said Anderson. “And also us sending prisoners out of town which was costing us anywhere from half a million to three quarters of a million dollars a year.”
“I think this could be a healing process for residents. I know there’s a lot of unhappy people. And heck I was one of those unhappy people too,” explained Switzer. “I didn’t want to see it happen the way it did. But I think we can move on and look at the future and see some brighter things that will be happening in Vigo County.”
