Cold weather stalls construction on jail; concrete to be poured Monday County saves $180k on communications tower, building

John Hansen, with Midwest Construction Consultants, is planning on having crews pour concrete Monday, Feb. 4, at the site of the new Henry County Jail despite the below zero temperatures this week.

During a regular Board of Supervisors meeting on Thursday, Jan. 31, Hansen said that they have heated the building this week, so the ground wouldn't freeze, and they can pour concrete Monday.

While they have faced weather-related challenges to keep progress going on the project, Hansen was positive that the weather would turn around to begin pouring concrete inside the jail. They will be using pump trucks and pouring it in sections. It has to be above 32 degrees for a pump truck, Hansen said.

C&M Cooling, Heating & Plumbing has completed the plumbing, and Hansen said everything will be checked to make sure it has been done correctly.

'Once we put concrete down, we don't want to tear it up to get to plumbing,' Hansen said.

The roofing company will be on site in the next couple of weeks.

As construction moves forward, Hansen said they are looking at making some enhancements to the project.

While initially the county was focused on bringing the project in under budget, they can now afford to consider enhancements for the 'longevity of the project,' such as different countertops and floors, Hansen said.

Color selection for painting, carpeting and doors is completed, and Hansen has been working with Henry County Sheriff Rich McNamee to identify the furniture needs of the building, so he can begin pricing.

Hansen also received a quote for the cost of a communications tower and installment.

The original quote for a complete tower was $353,250; however, Hansen received an estimate from Electronics Application and Murphy Tower for $130,500.

The estimate includes the cost of the foundation, the tower and an ice bridge from the tower to the communications building.

The communications building will be purchased for $25,500. The foundation will be $11,774. And heating and cooling will be $5,168.

'That's $180,000 of savings we were able to accomplish,' Hansen said. 'I think we did pretty good as a group on getting that.'

Hansen said the tower will be placed in the spring.