Lucas County commissioners on July 1 discussed a proposed new Lucas County Corrections Center and voted to advertise for professional qualifications to perform a facility condition assessment focused on life‑safety renovations to the existing jail.

The county’s Office of Management and Budget director, John Wenzlick, told commissioners the most recent projected construction cost for a new corrections center is about $273,000,000, not including roughly $31,000,000 in capitalized interest expected to accrue during construction. Wenzlick said the county expects to contribute about $54,000,000 from grants and cash, leaving about $219,000,000 to be financed. "The annual payment over 35 years would be about $15,700,000," Wenzlick said, adding that Sheriff Navarre has committed to personnel cost savings the sheriff estimates at about $10,200,000 per year, which would leave a projected annual general‑fund gap of about $5,400,000.

The county’s jail project manager, Bridget Cabot, outlined next steps if the county were to proceed with new construction, including bond‑rating presentations in September, finalizing design and bid packages, and a construction schedule that would begin earthwork in mid‑October and run approximately 30–34 months to substantial completion. Cabot also described costs the county would incur if it stops pursuing the new build and closes out current project work: "In calculating some project closeout costs, we're looking at roughly $6,000,000," she said, adding that those funds would cover final architectural/engineering work, design of an employee parking lot on an adjacent parcel and restoration of a triangular lot at Jackson and Twelfth to grass and sidewalks.

Commissioners then discussed the tradeoffs of building a new facility versus renovating the existing jail. Speakers highlighted the age and physical limitations of the current pretrial facility, the county’s longstanding interest in a modern downtown jail close to the courts, and the operational benefits a new facility could provide. They also raised concerns about long‑term debt service, the effect of a multi‑decade bond on the county general fund and on other county services and employees, and uncertain state and federal revenue trends cited by staff.

After discussion, the board approved a walk‑in resolution to issue a request for qualifications for firms to perform a facility condition assessment for life‑safety renovations at the Lucas County Corrections Center at 1622 Spio Busch. The scope described in the resolution includes mechanical engineering, plumbing, electrical, structural systems, building envelope, fire protection, elevators, interior finishes, fixtures and security/access controls. The resolution passed on a roll call vote: Commissioner Gerken, yes; Commissioner Lopez, yes; Commissioner Cebecchi, yes.

The approved RFQ is intended to produce a study of what it would take to bring the existing jail into compliance for life‑safety systems and to inform whether a renovation, a combination of renovations and contracting of inmate housing with other facilities, or a new build is the most viable fiscal and operational path forward.

The county will also need to prepare materials and documentation for bond rating agencies and determine a financing plan should it pursue new debt. Wenzlick told commissioners those tasks would require coordination among OMB, administration, bond counsel and the county’s financial advisor and said the team would need to be ready to present to rating agencies by September if they were to keep the new‑build timetable.

Commissioners said they will continue to examine options. One commissioner emphasized the importance of balancing public safety investments with other county obligations and long‑term employee and capital needs, saying the proposed $15.7 million annual debt service is the largest the county would have undertaken and that the projected personnel savings may not fully materialize. The motion to initiate the facility condition assessment secures an immediate next step without committing the county to new debt.