Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capital Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County says jail expansion nearing interior finishes, expects occupancy in September; GMP amendment pending
Summary
County staff and contractors reported progress on the jail phase‑2 construction, said occupancy of the new pod is anticipated in September, and noted a related storage building (A building) will follow within about 90–120 days; cost updates and a pending contract amendment were discussed.
County construction managers and the contractor presented a detailed progress update on the Okeechobee County jail expansion (phase 2) including photos of masonry, mezzanine installation and mechanical rough-ins. County staff said exterior work is largely complete and crews are now finishing interior finishes and systems.
Contract representatives said the prefabricated mezzanine components are now bolted rather than welded, a change that reduced field labor and project cost. The contractor also reported that masonry and mock-up painting work is nearly finished and that mechanical, plumbing and ductwork connections are progressing.
Staff said permit delays early in the project pushed the schedule back 30–60 days but that much of that time has been made up. The county reported it expects to have the new housing pod ready for occupancy in September. The adjacent storage/‘A’ building is already in permitting and is expected to follow about 90–120 days after the pod, a timeline staff said is included in the contract amendment (GMP) now under review.
Board members asked staff to provide a consolidated final project cost for the items completed to date (excluding pending sheriff’s building renovations tied to separate grants) so the board and public can see the bottom-line cost. Staff agreed to return with an updated cost breakdown from the lump‑sum GMP contract and any changes caused by lead‑time items.
Staff also said they had resubmitted a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) request for the sheriff’s building roof; that grant remains under review and has not been approved.
