Construction Starts on New Iowa Jail

BEDFORD, Iowa — Construction began earlier this month on Taylor County’s new jail facility in Bedford’s Industrial Park, about one year after the passing of a bond issue.

St. Joseph, Mo.-based E.L. Crawford Construction is serving as the general contractor on the project. KWA News reported that the construction team planned to initially put up some of the walls so that work could continue during the winter months. As of press time, Taylor County Supervisor Charles Ambrose told KWA News that the precast walls for the exterior of the building would be completed around Thanksgiving.

“The intent is to set them, and then they will run the steel for the roof,” he added. “If need be, they can run tarps over there so that they can get the roof completed. Then, they can go ahead and work on the interior walls and the plumbing."

Voters approved a $3.8 million bond issue for the new building a year ago. The new facility will replace an existing facility that’s about 100-years-old and no longer meets state jail regulations.

In fact, the current jail was closed for a year in February 2013 because of deficiencies listed in a state jail inspection. During that time, the jail underwent some repairs, which included getting a new roof to accommodate offenders while the new facility is being completed. As such, the updates will also allow the county to use the old jail for office space and storage after inmates are relocated to the new facility.

Ambrose said that so far the project is on schedule, and things seem to be going as planned. The project is scheduled for completion by August of next year.