WALTHALL — The Board of Supervisors has signed off on a contract with the architectural firm that will design Webster County’s new jail.
Previously, the board voted Nov. 1 to accept the architect proposal for the jail project from Belinda Stewart Architects of Eupora. On Feb. 22, the board instructed the firm to proceed with plans to construct a jail at Walthall.
Belinda Stewart, principal, and Craig Bjorgum, project architect, presented BSA’s contract to the board on April 4. After discussing funding and other facets of the project with them, Sheriff David Gore and Administrative Assistant/Deputy Tim Robertson, supervisors instructed Board Attorney Jacqueline Meek to review the contract and report back during a recessed meeting April 11.
Stewart and Bjorgum were back before the board on the latter date, when Meek said the contract was a standard agreement between owner and architect. Architectural/engineering design services through completion of the bidding will be provided for the stipulated sum of 7% of the construction amount. Construction architectural/engineering services through construction administration will be provided for a fee of 5% of the construction amount.
The board voted 3-0 to accept BSA’s contract for design of the jail as presented. Randy Rico (District 3) and Paul Crowley (District 4) were unable to attend the meeting.
Stewart said her firm was open to a “design-build” partnership, in which the architect acts as the designer and builder, coordinating a team of consultants, subcontractors and materials suppliers throughout the project lifecycle.
The facility as tentatively proposed will be a command center that, in addition to a jail, will include the sheriff’s and 911 offices. It will be built on the southwest corner of the Courthouse. The possibility of also incorporating the Justice Court office into the facility, along with tying the planned Courthouse annex into the project, was discussed during the meetings about the architectural contract.
“We’re excited to be working with y’all,” Stewart told the board April 4.
She discussed plans to build something “really simple and low maintenance” that can last a long time. Gore has proposed an 18-bed facility with two or three detox cells.
Gore said he a good meeting with Adam Grubbs, legislative aide for U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly, on March 28 about helping secure USDA Rural Development and Homeland Security grants for the project. Stewart said two staffers from the congressman’s office were scheduled to meet with her April 12.
Supervisors voted last summer to pursue a County Facilities Direct Loan and Grant up to $5 million from USDA RD for the project. They also voted in February to send a resolution to state Sen. Bart Williams to request $4 million for the construction of a new jail building, with American Rescue Plan Act funds to be applied as a local match if approved.
