Jail addition taking shape

CLOVIS — As you can see from driving or walking down Main Street, the renovation project at the Curry County Adult Detention Center is well underway. And the framework of the new addition is starting to take shape.

Facilities Maintenance Superintendent Ben Roberts told The News that the concrete slabs and wall footings for the housing, medical unit and salleyport additions have all been completed.

As have the initial stages of the plumbing and electrical work, with the current focus on the block walls residents can see rising above the fence line before interior finish work will get underway, according to Roberts.

Superintendent Glenn Hoyle said the blocks that can be seen from the curb are the beginning of the new detention cells, of which there will be 24 double cells for a total of 48 new beds, as well as two new recreation yards as part of the project.

Hoyle said the next step is to get those walls to a roof-bearing height so the roof can be constructed and interior finish work can begin.

The fence itself surrounding the construction site had to be moved about 40 feet and a new exit had to be constructed so sheriff's office vehicles would be able to get in and out quickly and safely in an emergency situation, Hoyle said.

Curry County Sheriff Wesley Waller said the construction has necessitated some adjustments to prisoner transport to and from the courthouse, but the transition has been "fairly smooth."

Hoyle said the biggest challenge of the project has simply been ensuring the existing jail facility's ability to remain in operation.

Hoyle said the next phase of the project, slated to get underway in the spring, will be to renovate the existing salleyport — that after the project is done will include eight video visitation stations, something the current facility lacks — and phase three will consist of roofing and heating work on the current jail building.

The county held a groundbreaking ceremony for the project on May 22 and Roberts said demolition and site work began on May 29.

Officials initially estimated the project would be completed by October 2019. While no extensions have been made yet, that date could be pushed back because of bad weather.

Curry County Manager Lance Pyle said 20 days have been lost to bad weather.

The $11.56 million project was approved by the Curry County Commission in April and is funded by a .25 percent gross receipts tax hike despite voters vetoing three bond elections to raise property taxes to pay for renovations to the facility.

The only change order for the project so far was a $15,347.58 savings related to the use of wire mesh instead of rebar, approved by the commission on Sept. 18.