Liberty County hires DRG to design new jail, approves $1.04M security upgrade and key‑card purchase
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Summary
Commissioners approved a professional services agreement with DRG Architects for a planned 600‑bed Liberty County jail (with a 1,200‑capacity core master plan), accepted a $1,039,457.27 security upgrade proposal, and approved a $140,864 change order for security key cards as part of ongoing jail remediation.
Liberty County commissioners voted Dec. 16 to hire DRG Architects to provide professional services for a new Liberty County Jail and to approve significant security upgrades to the existing jail as part of an ongoing remediation and replacement program.
The professional services agreement signed with DRG calls for architectural and planning services for a 600‑bed facility with a master plan that supports future expansion to a 1,200‑capacity core. DRG representatives Wayne Gondek and Gary Adams told the court their firm has worked on hundreds of jail projects and emphasized the importance of involving local user groups and a construction manager‑at‑risk early to manage rapidly escalating construction costs.
Separately, the court approved a $1,039,457.27 proposal from Gordian and FHP for jail security systems and also authorized a $140,864.04 purchase of security key cards (a change order, approved under a procurement exception) that staff said are necessary to preserve public health and safety during the phased repairs. County staff and the auditor confirmed the jail upgrades are budgeted within the previously approved capital allocation for jail work.
DRG described the county site (approximately 76 acres) as suitable for the master plan and said design efforts will include civil infrastructure, phased housing units and systems integration. Commissioners emphasized the project’s urgency because Liberty County currently pays millions to house inmates at outside facilities; the new project is intended to reduce those recurring costs.
County staff said no county‑level grant for jail construction bricks‑and‑mortar has been identified and encouraged exploring targeted equipment grants; DRG and commissioners discussed using a construction manager‑at‑risk to help control costs. The court approved the DRG agreement and the security work and directed staff to continue coordination with the sheriff’s office and vendors.
