Codington County sees geotechnical borings complete; first jail bid package could be issued soon

Codington County commissioners were updated May 20, 2025, on geotechnical work and early cost estimates for the county jail replacement project, and county staff said they may release the first bid package before the end of the month.

The update matters because it advances the multi-phase project that will require contractor bids, construction sequencing and financing decisions. County staff said the timing will affect whether interior work can proceed before winter.

A county staff member who provided the update said geotechnical borings done in the last weeks were “pretty normal” and that about a dozen borings were taken, including ones done in 2017. The same staff member said a detailed cost estimate for the jail is being finalized: “Today, we have a meeting going over the cost estimate,” they said.

The staff member told commissioners the project team hopes to release a first bid package that would cover initial earthwork and site preparation and that a second, larger package would follow for building construction. “Hopefully, we can put out the first bid package maybe next week, maybe before the end of the month,” they said.

Commissioner Gable asked whether a July groundbreaking was still possible; staff responded that a July start is still possible but that winter scheduling is a significant constraint: contractors prefer to complete exterior work before winter so interior work can continue through the colder months.

No formal vote or contract was taken at the May 20 meeting. Commissioners were told structure managers will finalize the cost estimate in the coming weeks and that the timing of bid release will determine the project calendar.

The update follows prior planning and design work, including earlier borings in 2017. County staff noted the next steps are finalizing the cost estimate, assembling bid documents and coordinating outreach to potential bidders.