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County presents conceptual plan to demolish downtown jail for future early‑learning center; commission asks for documentation and schedule
Summary
Franklin County presented a conceptual plan to demolish the 1969 downtown jail, grade the site to lawn as an interim condition, and later build a mixed-use project including an early‑learning center. Commissioners recommended a HABS-style documentation report and asked for clearer phasing details when the project returns for formal review.
Franklin County officials asked the Downtown Commission for feedback on a conceptual plan to demolish the 1969 Franklin County Downtown Jail and prepare the site for future redevelopment that would include a mixed-use building with an early-learning center.
Chris Long, deputy county administrator, and Steve Winters of DLZ described a phased approach: Phase 1 (abatement and demolition) is targeted for February 2026–February 2027; Phase 2 would rebuild the pavilion concourse and perform streetscape/public improvements on Mound Street; Phase 3 would be the future mixed-use/early-learning center construction at a later date. Winters explained the jail's post-tension concrete construction and heavy structural connectivity to the adjacent pavilion make renovation impractical and demolition complex; the team expects demolition to proceed floor-by-floor, not by implosion.
Long said the county envisions an early-learning center that would serve city and county staff and provide drop-in capacity for members of the public conducting business at the courthouse complex. "The goal would be to have in at least in the early stages…an early learning center, a childcare center…for families who are coming to the downtown city and county Courthouse complex and needing to do business," he said.
Commissioners recommended the county document the existing jail with a HABS-style report before demolition and asked for clearer timelines and staging plans, including how long construction fencing and pavilion access changes would remain in place. County staff said they will prepare additional schematic materials and a more detailed schedule for a future commission discussion; no demolition permit or certificate was approved at this conceptual review.
Provenance: County presentation and slides appear in staff materials as a conceptual review beginning at 01:39:41; applicant testimony from Chris Long and Steve Winters begins at 01:44:50.
