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Jail construction hits cell‑installation milestone; project on track, county says
Summary
Contractor and county staff reported modular cell delivery and installation, roof and exterior panel completion and progress on mechanical and control-room work at the Okeechobee jail project.
County staff and the contractor reported substantial progress on the Okeechobee Jail project at the commission meeting: the pre‑engineered metal building roof and exterior panels are installed and modular cells have begun arriving and being set inside the structure.
Justin Nelson, the county’s project lead, said modular cell delivery began the day before the meeting and that 26 cells had been set with more scheduled. Paul Fernandez of Ajax Builders and Joe Murat of SecureTech (the firm supplying cells and security systems) described rapid installation rates and the near-term sequencing the team expects: once cells are in place, mechanical hookups and finishes—ceilings, control-room steel and fire‑rated glass—can proceed.
Nelson said mechanical and camera systems that had been damaged earlier by lightning had been repaired and that technicians were completing camera angle adjustments to finalize the kitchen and security monitoring. The fiber connection that had delayed part of the project was completed during an overnight tie‑in, Nelson said, allowing work on the site’s retention pond to resume.
SecureTech reported rapid assembly: 26 cells were installed the morning of the meeting and more were expected; the company said 44 “man cells” could be set in a single day under the current schedule, making visible changes on the interior of the building scheduled to accelerate in the coming weeks.
Why it matters: The jail is a large capital project for the county with operational implications for municipal corrections, EOC connectivity and the county’s capital budget and schedule. Contractors emphasized the benefit of modular, pre‑fabricated cells for speed of installation and reduced on‑site waste.
Next steps: Contractors said mechanical hookups, control‑room work and fire‑rated glazing are the immediate priorities. Staff said they will continue to report monthly on progress and costs and that the fiber and EOC connectivity work remaining is nearing completion. County staff also asked the board to consider options for reusing temporary concrete pads and material to support road operations.
Speakers: Justin Nelson (county project manager), Paul Fernandez (Ajax Builders), Joe Murat (SecureTech).
