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Wheatley jail moves into interior finishes as crews prepare mechanical systems and drainage work
Summary
Construction crews reported progress on interior walls, mechanical/electrical/plumbing rough‑ins and upcoming ductwork; the county discussed drainage near the Sally Port and scheduling for transformers and the generator.
Construction of the Wheatley jail has moved into interior finish work while crews continue mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) rough‑ins, project staff told the Coffey County Commission during a regular meeting update.
The update said masons finished activity room walls where the opening for cells had been located and crews were pushing a cell back into place. MEP contractors were working from the south half of the building, into the kitchen, the secure corridor and the sheriff’s office. “The duct work should be started, probably the end of this week, if not first of next week in the sheriff's office,” a county staff member reported. Sheetrock finishers were finishing sand and drywall upstairs, and painters were scheduled to start at the end of the week into the following week.
Project staff added that the exterior brickwork would begin once masons finish and an air barrier is applied. A crane set several large units on site prior to Christmas and crews removed the crane on schedule, the update said.
Why it matters: The jail project is a major capital effort for the county; finishing interior systems and resolving site drainage are necessary before occupancy and continued budgeting and procurement decisions can proceed.
Commissioners raised drainage as a practical near‑term concern after site cleanup revealed that the finished West Side blacktop sits higher than other surfaces. A commissioner said, “It's gonna take a pretty good drainage program to keep a 6 inch rain away from it.” A county staff member described trench drains and stubbed pipe inlets around the Sally Port and said runoff will be routed east and then north under connector corridors to existing inlets.
The update also included schedule notes: crews expect to complete masonry chases inside in the coming weeks, level‑2 sheetrockers were finishing, and painting and final interior work would follow. Staff said they expect the transformer and generator to be set around Jan. 13 and described no near‑term plan for a major manpower surge, but said activity will increase early in the year.
The report did not include a new project completion date or a change to the contract price. The county did not present a formal vote or contract amendment tied to the update during the meeting.
Ending: Commissioners asked staff to continue reporting progress and to provide details on drainage plans and any schedule changes at upcoming meetings.
