Design team gives Codington County schedule update for new jail; initial GMP aimed for June, final guaranteed maximum price in September

Contractors, the architect and the county’s owner’s representative gave the Codington County Board of County Commissioners an update on the new jail project schedule on Tuesday, saying the project remains on the timeline presented last November and that the team will use an initial bid package to speed construction of long‑lead items.

Representatives from the owner’s‑rep TEGRA Group, construction manager Beckenauer and other consultants told commissioners that schematic design is in its second month and is scheduled to be completed by the end of January. The design team said the schematic phase has reconfirmed the program and produced adjacency and floor plans; the next steps will move the project through design development and construction documents.

The construction manager said the team plans two GMP (guaranteed maximum price) milestones: an initial GMP targeted for June covering an early bid package (structural, civil and potentially selected long‑lead items) and a final GMP projected for September that will combine remaining trades. The intention is to bring early subcontractors under contract after the June package so work can start sooner and avoid material‑lead delays later in construction.

The design team also noted that additional soil borings will be considered once the site plan is finalized and that today’s working‑group meetings would focus on mechanical and electrical systems as schematic design wraps up.

Why it matters: splitting the work into an initial bid package and a final GMP is intended to shorten on‑site construction time and reduce schedule risk for long‑lead materials; the county’s timeline for delivery and the contractors’ sequencing affect overall project costs and occupancy timing.

Commissioners were told there is ongoing coordination with the sheriff’s office and corrections staff to ensure the design meets operational needs. No budget changes or formal contract amendments were presented at Tuesday’s meeting.

Ending: The design and construction team said they will provide more detailed schedules and continue working with county staff; commissioners thanked the team and had no further action at the meeting.