Macon–Bibb Commission approves Jericho Design Group to design staged jail expansion

The Macon–Bibb County Commission voted Sept. 23 to authorize the mayor to execute a professional services agreement with Jericho Design Group to design a staged expansion of the county jail.

Clay Murphy presented the proposal, describing a three‑phase concept: demolish the Higgins Building to create parking (Phase 1); renovate the existing infirmary area to add up to 24 mental‑health beds and address sight‑lines and staffing issues (Phase 2); and build new maximum‑security housing in the West Yard to provide about 150 beds and roughly 32,000 square feet with mezzanine (Phase 3). Murphy said Phase 2B is estimated at about $24–25 million, with the full three‑phase concept in the $28–31 million range. He said the cells are proposed to be modular and built off‑site for later reuse if the county builds a new jail.

The presentation noted that the selection committee included Deputy Chief Scarberry, the mayor, Clay Murphy and consultant Cas Hatcher; the committee voted unanimously to recommend Jericho. Sheriff Davis, present at the meeting, endorsed the proposal’s security features and its attention to mental‑health needs.

Public comment included Terry McGee urging the commission to build a new jail rather than repeatedly repairing the current facility. “How bad does that jail have to be before you finally put a new jail in here?” McGee asked.

After discussion and questions from commissioners emphasizing continued dialogue with administration and attention to mental‑health capacity, Commissioner Bryant moved to approve the professional services agreement; Commissioner Bronson seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Next steps described at the meeting include finalizing a contract with the architect and bringing refined cost estimates and construction‑management arrangements back to the commission. The presentation materials were described as conceptual and subject to change as design and cost refinement proceed.