Scott County supervisors review plans for jail project

By Kurt Allemeier | Wednesday, July 23, 2008

The Scott County Board of Supervisors saw the first sketch of floor plans for the remodeled Tremont Avenue jail annex that would house 144 inmates when it is completed in 2009.

The annex will have two pods capable of holding 72 inmates each. The project, which also includes remodeling the sheriff department’s patrol office, is estimated to cost $4.5 million.

The project is budgeted for $2.7 million, but operational cost savings are estimated at $550,000 per year.

The savings would be achieved by requiring two fewer correctional officers at the jail annex than were used before it was closed earlier this year. The annex previously used five correctional officers to operate three pods, but with two pods, will only require three correctional officers.

Moving control of pod doors and other security measures to the main jail control room in downtown Davenport eliminates the other position.

The supervisors will vote Thursday to extend a contract with the architect to do a complete design of the annex. A public hearing on the final design could be scheduled in September or October, with the project going out for bid by the end of the year, Dave Donovan, director of facility and support services, said.

When completed, the jail and annex will be able to house 501 inmates.

Kurt Allemeier can be contacted at (563) 383-2360 or kallemeier@qctimes.com.