CAPE COUNTY TO SEEK DEMOLITION BIDS FOR EXPANSION OF JAIL

JACKSON -- Design plans for Cape Girardeau County's jail expansion are nearing completion, and the county is preparing to make way for the project.

Architect John Dudley told the Cape Girardeau County Commission Monday: "We had several hurdles to overcome, but things are starting to smooth out. "We're in the design development phase, and we're getting ready to move to the working plans."

Bids on the project could be requested in September.

In the meantime, the county is soliciting bids for demolition of five houses adjacent to the county jail. The properties were purchased by the county for the expansion.

County officials also are preparing documents for the city of Jackson. The county is requesting zoning changes for a total of seven pieces of property that are zoned residential.

A public hearing is expected to be scheduled on the zoning request.

"A good plan doesn't come together overnight," said Sheriff John Jordan. "There has been a lot of work by the County Commission, the jail committee and the architects."

The need for additional jail space continues to be evident, Jordan said. Cape Girardeau County's jail population was 102 on Monday.

The building was built to house a maximum of 64 prisoners. Bunk beds were added to increase bed space to 80, but each month the county pays to house prisoners at other jails.

The county has been working for months on a 152-bed addition to the jail. The cost is expected to be approximately $5 million.

The county determined it would be economical to add on to the jail rather than start from scratch. The expansion will enable the jail to hold over 200 prisoners.

The good news for county taxpayers is that the county is expected to issue bonds to pay for the construction, and no tax increase would be needed to pay for the bonds.

In addition, the U.S. Marshal's Service, which is responsible for federal suspects awaiting trial, will contract with the expanded jail to house prisoners. Payments to house the federal prisoners are expected to pay off the bonds plus provide additional funding for county law-enforcement operations.

The county already has an agreement with the U.S. Marshal's Service for a $1.5 million grant for the jail improvements. Daily fees on top of that grant will be paid for housing federal prisoners.