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Rutherford County authorizes safety upgrades and design-build work for detention facility
Summary
The board approved a sole-source purchase for tray/trap attachments intended to limit staff contact with inmates and authorized the county to proceed with phase 1 (design, $212,000) of a state-funded design-build detention renovation project, with about $10 million in state grant funding overall.
Board members approved two related actions affecting the Rutherford County Detention Center. First, commissioners approved a sole-source procurement for new trap attachments and mail-tray access designed to reduce officer contact with detainees and replace degraded equipment. A detention representative described the attachments as bolt-on units that allow food and items to be passed without direct contact; staff said installation could be done in tandem with other security work and projected a March timeline for installation.
Second, county staff described a state grant of $10,000,000 to expand and improve the detention facility and recommended the Vannoy Moseley design-build team. Staff said phase 1 (design) is projected at $212,000, drawn from the state grant, leaving about $8,000,000 for construction in phase 2. The board authorized the county manager and county attorney to negotiate and execute agreements to move the design work forward.
Both items were approved by voice vote. County staff said the design-build approach will include schematic design and site inspection before any construction work begins and that the scope may include improved flow and expanded female housing.
