COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners were told by architects and contractors during their Thursday work session that construction activities on the new Branch County Jail are scheduled to start next week.
In addition, bidding for work on the project by Clark Construction is scheduled to start next Wednesday.
Architect Joe Mrak from Securiture said some design changes were made to the upper level in an attempt to find some costs savings but there were no changes to the square footage of the building or its capacity.
Rob Conley from Clark Construction said they were tracking on budget.
Branch County Administrator Bud Norman said following a request to the state, it was determined construction on the new jail was essential and that the local health department had no issues after they were consulted.
The first four to six weeks of work will involve mostly equipment. Social distancing will be practiced but workers will not be side by side during that part of the project.
Branch County voters approved a 20 year millage request for up to 1.25 mills per year in August 2018 to fund the new jail to replace the current facility that has been used since the early 1990’s.
The old jail has had numerous maintenance issues. Before it became a jail, the building was a senior care facility. Once the new jail is built, the old facility will be torn down.
