Hello,

Thank you for signing up to stay informed about the Saline County Jail Project. A lot has happened since November 3, 2020 (including switching to a new format for distributing updates). We’ll recap those activities here and provide more regular updates in the future. If you no longer wish to receive updates on the Jail Project, please see the unsubscribe information at the bottom of this email.
We are buying land
Following the successful passage of the jail measure in November, our first order of business was to find a site to locate the new jail and Sheriff’s office. Requirements included a site of 15-20 acres with access to available utility connections, easy transportation links to the Courts and an easy pathway out of the City for Sheriff patrol deputies, and in an area with few residential structures. On December 15, 2020, the Board of County Commissioners entered into a land purchase contract to acquire just under 18 acres south and east of the intersection of Pacific Avenue and Front Street in North Salina. This land, which is currently used as farm ground, meets all of the requirements. The contract for purchase is contingent upon two things: completion of soil sampling and approval of zoning changes by the City of Salina.
We are laying out the building on the land and working with the City
Soil sampling was completed, and results were received, indicating no cause for concern. On January 15, an application was submitted to the City of Salina to abandon the right-of-way that was platted but never constructed on the site for Woodland Avenue. (Otherwise, there would be a street right-of-way right through the middle of the jail.) That application was heard by the City Commission on February 22. The Commission passed the ordinance to abandon the right-of-way but held second reading (final adoption) pending a further application for Planned Development District, which was then submitted on February 26. At this point, we expect that second application to be heard by the City in April, and we can proceed with closing on the land.
We are designing a building
Our architects, Treanor HL, have now completed what is known as “schematic design.” This involves making sure that all of the building's desired uses are included within it and that it lays out appropriately on the site. It also includes a general overview of the exterior materials and “look” of the building. During this process, the architects have worked extensively with Sheriff’s staff, consultants specializing in various jail construction elements such as kitchen equipment, security systems, and housing unit fabrication, and with our construction manager to make sure the project stays within budget. They have also reviewed the design of the program areas with a group of community stakeholders. On March 9, the County Commissioners reviewed this schematic design and approved the next phase, known as “design development.”
What's next?
Design development is scheduled to last around three months. During this time, we should actually acquire title to the site and planning permission from the City and further define the elements of the building. This will lead to actual construction documents (“blueprints”) and allow for groundbreaking by the latter part of 2021. Meanwhile, the sales tax increment approved by the voters in November will begin being collected at the point of sale on April 1, with the first revenues coming to the County in late June. That will allow for bonds to be issued in the late summer to finance construction.
Stay tuned for more information!

Phil Smith-Hanes