Jail work continues

The Jay Building Corporation approved its first change order this morning as underground work on the jail expansion is nearly complete.

The board approved the change order for $9,325, which was accumulated for testing and "removal of unsuitable soils," said Jeff Badders of SchenkelShultz Architecture.

When constructions crews hit patches of potentially bad soils, samples were tested, removed and filled in. Badders said they likely won't run into any major soils problems, as the footers are complete and the only remaining digging that will need to be done is for a small retaining wall to be added later.

"We've reached that point that we're pretty assured we shouldn't have any underground issues," Badders said and added, "All the sewers and utilities are in.

"It's really worked out pretty well," he said.

The building corporation also paid its monthly claims this morning, including the first payment to contractor Weigand Construction, Fort Wayne, of $251,865. Other claims included $10,840.96 to SchenkelShultz for architectural work and $706.25 to Alt and Witzig Engineering for soil work.

Badders said construction crews will continue to erect walls at the site and work toward completing and enclosed structure, at which point the work can move indoors. Steel structure components should be arriving at the site soon and he said to expect to see a crane at the grounds in the near future to get those pieces in place.[[In-content Ad]]