Oversight board hears construction, budget and remediation updates for new jail and behavioral care center

The Citizens Bond Oversight Advisory Board on June 16 received progress reports showing construction moving forward on the Oklahoma County Behavioral Care Center and the first phase of the Adult Detention Center.

William White, the owner’s representative for Oklahoma County, said construction on the Behavioral Care Center has “picked up” and that the project has a scheduled substantial completion date before the end of the year. He told the board that American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated to the Behavioral Care Center are expected to be spent before year-end and that only a few major procurement items — notably low-voltage cabling, security and access-control systems — remain to be quoted and awarded.

Flintco project manager Johnny Romero and senior project manager Jeff Lowe provided a contractor update on the Behavioral Care Center, reporting temporary air circulation in occupied pods, interior taping and mud work in preparation for finishes, and mostly completed overhead systems. Romero said exterior finishes are nearly complete and that terracotta elements are expected to arrive from overseas in about a month or two.

At the Adult Detention Center site, Flintco’s Jeff Blows described early site work and foundations under way. He said building pads and drill piers are being installed in the main building areas, and that water and sanitary sewer lines around the facility are nearly finished. Blows said foundations and structural work will continue into the middle of next year before vertical construction advances, and that exterior precast panels are planned to begin in the new year.

Board members pressed for budget updates and asked about change orders. Stacy reported that the bond vote provided $250 million for the project and that about $14 million remained in the bond account after the GMP contract was signed; she said the favorable bid results and contingency within the GMP mean she does not currently foresee major budget problems. Flintco said multiple procurement rounds remain (described in the presentation as “round three”) and expressed confidence in working within the GMP.

The board discussed previously reported contaminated soils encountered on site. White said the contaminated soils had been remediated and that the district attorney’s office and the county are pursuing avenues to recoup some remediation costs; he said negotiations were ongoing with the architect and contractor over possible admissions and responsibility. Board members asked for clearer, earlier communication about how those negotiations are progressing and whether settlement outcomes or cost impacts would be reported to this advisory board.

Board members requested distribution of meeting notes from Flintco’s weekly Tuesday coordination meetings so the oversight panel can monitor procurement, change-order progress and negotiations without having to check court dockets or learn developments secondhand. Flintco and staff said they would provide notes and invite board members to the weekly meetings as appropriate.

Members also discussed organizing a site visit to see in-person progress on both the Behavioral Care Center and the detention center. Staff noted that an on-site meeting would need to be posted as a public meeting if a quorum of the board attends; Flintco offered an on-site meeting room and staff said they would consult the clerk about availability and posting.

The advisory board took no formal action on contract amendments or legal negotiations during the meeting; members said they want timely updates as negotiations settle and as any cost-impact analyses are completed.