Bids for new criminal justice center being reviewed

WAYNESBORO, Tenn. - Wayne County Executive Jason Rich is optimistic that work will begin on the county's new criminal justice center this spring.

"There is no question this is the biggest project Wayne County has had since it built new schools in 2000," Rich said. "And it's without a doubt one of the most important projects we've had in some time."

The projected justice center will house a 130-bed jail, two jury courtrooms and a nonjury courtroom and judges' chambers.

The county has purchased a 29-acre tract on Andrew Jackson Boulevard, just off U.S. 64, which will be used for the complex. The land is being cleared in anticipation of construction beginning soon.

Rich said site work is 75 percent completed and work is under way to prepare the site for utilities.

County officials estimate the total cost of the center will be about $10 million. The county commission has approved borrowing $5.5 million for the project. Rich said the county had already set aside $4 million for renovations and additions to the existing jail, which will now be used for the construction project.

Rich said bids have been received and are being reviewed by the project engineer.

"Plus, the engineers are talking with the major bidders about any kind of cost-saving measures they can see in the project," he said. "If everything falls into place, we hope to be able to start the actual construction in March or April."

Rich said the plan is simple and "just meets our need."

"By no means are we wanting to build a Taj Mahal; it's going to be something that will serve our needs now and into the future," he said.

He said the criminal justice center will handle the county's overcrowding problems, not only at the jail but in the courthouse.

Wayne County Sheriff Ric Wilson said the county's existing jail holds 41 inmates.

"We're staying very close to capacity all the time," he said. "Plus, we've got 22 more inmates right now being housed in jails outside the county, which is costing the county a lot of money."

Rich said the county is spending $200,000 to $300,000 a year on inmate housing outside the county.

"That's enough to pay for the money we're going to borrow to build the justice center," he said.

"Our current jail is a drain on our budget. The new facility is going to be a cost savings to the county."

Project officials say the construction should take 16 to 18 months.

"If we can get started this spring, we could be moved in by summer or fall of 2010," Rich said.

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.