Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Justice Center Renovation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hamblen County Commission tables Justice Center renovations, approves schematic design study
Summary
The commission voted to table major renovations to the old Justice Center until March and authorized McMurray Architects to produce a schematic design study to inform a future decision; commissioners cited limited operating data from the new facility and competing capital needs.
Hamblen County commissioners voted to table plans for renovating the existing Justice Center and sheriff—s department until March and approved funding for a schematic design study to be available at that time. The motion, seconded by Commissioner Cindy Ahern, carried on roll call.
County Mayor Chris Cutshall and planner Bill presented a proposal to repurpose space in the current Justice Center for detectives, juvenile court services and other county functions. The package included fire-safety upgrades (installing sprinklers and new alarms), restroom and office renovations, new roofing and lighting, and work to reassign clerk and court office space. Bill said the work would bring the floor up to code and create secure office and confidential meeting space for juvenile services.
The administration also proposed renovating the workhouse to house an expanded "jail-to-work" program for men using a $1.5 million opioid-abatement grant. Bill said two architectural firms estimated about $200 per square foot for renovations when sprinklers and fire-safety work are included; he and the mayor discussed a plan to contract with the McNabb Center to operate the program while the county renovates the workhouse.
Several commissioners signaled concern about committing large sums before the new Justice Center is fully operational. One commissioner cited the unknown monthly operating costs (air conditioning, water, cleaning) and urged waiting to see three months of operations. Others asked whether interest earnings from bond proceeds and opioid-settlement funds could or should be used. The mayor said roughly $2 million in interest is available and clarified that about $722,000 of opioid-related funds were unrestricted.
Rather than approve immediate renovations, the commission approved a motion to table the renovation decision until March and to retain McMurray Architects to produce a schematic design study for the Justice Center. The study is intended to give commissioners more detailed cost estimates and a basis for prioritizing projects. The commission also discussed a plan B — leasing space in the community to start the jail-to-work program — should the renovation not move forward immediately.
Next steps: McMurray Architects will be retained to produce a schematic design; the commission expects the design study to be available in March, at which time members will revisit the renovation decision.
