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County reports progress on detention security upgrades and $116 million Human Services Building
Summary
At a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners sitting as the Public Building Commission, staff reported that detention-center security upgrades are about 65% complete, an Olathe MedAct facility will open this fall, and work is beginning to go vertical on a $116 million Human Services Building.
At a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners sitting as the Public Building Commission, Tony Baron, a county staff member, told commissioners that detention-center security upgrades are about 65% complete and that the Human Services Building project is moving into vertical construction.
Baron said the detention-center security work is finished at the Juneau Detention Center and is under way at the adult detention centers in Olathe and New Century. He told commissioners the county is also installing new chillers and pumps on multiple projects and "we're anticipating some great savings out of as far as energy, reduction." He added, "we're really excited about that."
The report also noted the Olathe MedAct project is scheduled to open later this fall; Baron said the county values its collaboration with MedAct. On the Human Services Building, which Baron identified as a $116,000,000 project, he said utilities have been moved since March and August and that the county expects to start concrete pours by the end of the month and to begin steel erection soon.
Chairman Kelly praised project oversight and fiscal management, saying, "I'm glad the together we showed prudence and got this to a reasonable amount to still fit the need of the service." Commissioner Allen Brand, who said he drives by the site frequently, invited county staff to coordinate a site visit with outside partners and said the building "looks great."
No formal actions or votes were taken during the update. The presentation was an informational update to the commission; commissioners asked no procedural questions that directed changes to the projects.
Why it matters: upgrades at county detention facilities affect facility security and operations; the Human Services Building is a major county capital project with a stated budget of $116 million; energy-efficiency work (chillers and pumps) could reduce operating costs if the anticipated savings materialize. Planned next steps described in the meeting include continued utility work, imminent concrete work, and the start of steel erection on the Human Services Building and the planned opening of Olathe MedAct later this fall.
