Work almost complete

The Jay County Jail project should be substantially completed by the end of January as construction wraps up and a few final equipment purchases are made.
Jeff Badders of SchenkelShultz informed the Jay County Building Corporation that most of the third phase — renovation of the old administration area — should be done by January with a few finishing touches maybe wrapping up in early February.
“We’ve completed all the demolition in the third and final phase,” Badders said. “We’re shooting for mid to late January to move back in there.”
This month’s claims included some equipment purchases including emergency radios, office equipment and insulation for the attic in the existing building, but Badders cautioned that some other purchases could be coming up.
“Next month we’ll have some claims for video visitation stuff,” Badders said. He also mentioned that the Jay County Commissioners wanted him to look into purchasing a water softener for the jail if there was money available at the end of construction.
The jail may also get a “muffler” system to solve a noise issue with a fan in the furnace.
Board president Carl Walker asked about the noise, which had been mentioned to Badders in past weeks.
Badders explained to the board that a vibration caused by a fan in the furnace system has created a low-pitched whine which sounds like a low-volume warning siren when the fan is active. He said there is a “muffler” that could be purchased and that he’s looking into what that item costs.
After that the board approved monthly claims totaling $401,031.93. Part of those claims include a release of $200,000 to contractor Weigand Construction from an escrow account.
Badders said since the first phase — the new cell block — has been complete and open for more than three months that the money could be paid.
There is still around $175,000 remaining in that escrow account that will be paid when the project is completed.[[In-content Ad]]