By By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
May 17, 2001
DECATUR Work could begin this week on the road leading to the future site of the Newton County jail, in the Decatur Industrial Park on Highway 15.
Newton County supervisors awarded a contract for a construction manager last week to Philadelphia-based Yates Construction Company. Yates will be paid 4 percent of the total cost of the jail plus a maximum reimbursable amount of $150,000.
He said Yates contractors and architects from Pryor and Morrow, the Columbus-based firm awarded the architectural contract, will be getting together to work on the pre-construction phase of the jail.
The construction manager will also oversee individual subcontracts to make sure everything is done to specification in construction, such as brick and mortar, electrical and plumbing work, constructing fences, paving and landscaping, Smith said.
Smith said supervisors hope the 11-month construction project will begin this fall.
Supervisors are working to build a $2 million facility, but Smith said there may be extra expenses. He said he does not expect the jail to cost more than $2.5 million.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3275, or e-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.