County awards $22.3 million from a state grant for new jail
By Debra Moore
A huge check — both literally and figuratively — hangs in the garage of Supervisor Greg Hagwood. The oversized check for $25 million, is a reminder of the state grant awarded to Plumas County back in 2017 to build a new jail. At the time of the award, Hagwood was Plumas County Sheriff.
During the Feb. 15 Board of Supervisors meeting, Hagwood said, “$25 million probably bought a lot more then than it will in 2022.”
And he is right — the facility is being scaled back — with department personnel reconfiguring cells and other spaces so that the square footage can be reduced to accommodate the budget.
“We brought in jail staff to make it work more efficiently, and Stephanie Tanaka for the DRC (the Day Reporting Center, which was integral to the successful award of the grant),” Sheriff Todd Johns said. “We were able to shrink it down and keep it in the budget.”
While this is a project for the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office, the Public Works Department is tasked with oversight. Director John Mannle said that Rob Thorman will be the point person for the contract and build process.
Carter Goble Associates (CGL), the entity that the county hired in 2017 for architectural and construction management services, is still involved and will help public works manage the project. That contract award isn’t to exceed $2,406,000.
During the Feb. 15 meeting, the supervisors approved a design/build agreement with Clark/Sullivan Broward and Arrington Watkins Architects in the amount of $22,382,213 to build the structure, which will be located in East Quincy.
The county received three design/build applications, but one ultimately dropped out. County Administrator Gabriel Hydrick said this firm was selected for its ability to meet the budget.
What’s next
During a follow-up conversation Feb. 22, Public Works Director John Mannle said the first step will be preparing the site, which is located near the current jail on land used by public works.
It’s hoped that the sand house will be removed in April, as well as other items on the property. Then utility work will need to completed before construction can begin. While that work is being accomplished the final design will continue to be tweaked to accommodate need and budget.
