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Jackson County's new jail is slated for a summer completion. (Courtesy)
PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- The new multimillion-dollar Jackson County Adult Detention Center is more than 50 percent complete, representatives told the board of supervisors this week, and the county has spent about half of the money set aside for the project.
"The majority of the work in now inside the building," said Jeff May, of Michael Baker Jr. Inc. "We're moving along. We are making headway."
The long-awaited jail is being constructed on land adjacent to the current county jail, near Kenneth Avenue and Fair Street.
The jail is expected to reach "substantial completion" by June 18, May told supervisors Monday.
Coming soon, residents will start seeing more site work happening at the jail.
To date, the county has spent $13 million on the construction, and all change orders have resulted in a net savings of about $2,400, May reported.
The company has also racked up 57 weather delay days, plus additional days from certain change orders, but May said the site is busy with a "lot of things moving."
Last December, Jackson County awarded a $27.6 million contract to Montgomery, Ala.-based Caddell Construction to build the 104,000-square-foot, 752-bed jail.
It is being made from a pre-engineered metal shell and will have brick masonry, leaders have said. The jail will be able to withstand 150 mph winds, and its modular steel cells are meant to shelter inmates in place.