Architect Hired For Harrison Jail Project | News, Sports, Jobs

CADIZ — Harrison County commissioners are moving forward with preliminary work on the county’s new jail after hiring an architect firm Wednesday.

Commissioners approved an agreement with Wachtel & McAnally Architects/Planners Inc. of Newark, Ohio, to provide the architect and engineering services for the proposed Harrison County Jail project.

“We’re now at the agreement stage which we need to have to further our USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) funding application. This is basically a standard agreement,” Commissioner Paul Coffland said during Wednesday’s meeting.

The agreement states the fee for project services for a new 60-bed jail is $1,087,728. A remodeling of the existing building to create a new meeting room, storage area and new offices for mental health, drug and alcohol dependency offices is an additional fee of $19,800.

The estimated $15 million jail project includes renovations to the current Reserve center building located along East Market Street in Cadiz, which will house the sheriff’s offices, and the construction of a new jail facility that will be built behind the center.

Plans for the new facility include 60 beds among six housing units, a full-service kitchen and laundry, two sally ports for transport and reception, and a visitation unit.

The county has secured a $9.1 million grant from the state for the project and is working toward a low-interest loan from the USDA.

Following the meeting, Coffland said the project will be ready to be put out for bid once the architect completes the design work. He said he believes the goal is to conduct a groundbreaking sometime this year; however, a timeline remains uncertain.

In other matters, Commissioners Don Bethel, Dale Norris and Coffland signed a letter of support of BJAAM Environmental to apply for Brownfield Assessment and Remediation funding on behalf of the county. Coffland said they, along with the Harrison Regional Planning Commission and villages, have identified five locations for possible funding:

∫ Jewett Elementary School, located at 117 W. Main St., Jewett;

∫ R&R Gas, located at 318 Center Unity Road, Jewett;

∫ Former post office at 100 E. South St., Cadiz;

∫ The old bank at West Market Street, Cadiz;

∫ The old Hildy’s Service Station along Ohio 151 in Scio.

“The board of commissioners are always supportive of projects that support health, wellness and economic development,” Coffland said.

The state funding source was set up to assist local communities in cleaning up contaminated properties.

“They have set aside $1 million for each county under the Brownfield Remediation. We are contracted with BJAAM Environmental to do these assessments, submit applications on our behalf to hopefully qualify for funding for these projects,” he said.

Coffland said the properties must all be assessed and have any possible hazardous material remediated prior to being demolished. These properties fit the criteria for the grant.

Also, commissioners recognized May 15-21 as Light Ohio Blue Week. The county has been involved in the campaign, which helps to honor law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty while also honoring those that still serve, for the past four years.

During the campaign residents are encouraged to join in by lighting an exterior light blue at their home or businesses to show their support. The courthouse is among those to participate and illuminates the building with blue lights each year during the week.