By C1 Staff
FORT MADISON, Iowa — Construction problems continue to plague a new correctional facility in Fort Madison, angering lawmakers.
The Des Moines Register reports that the $132-million, 800-bed prison remains vacant because the state’s fire marshal’s officer hasn’t authorized occupancy due to lack of compliance with the state’s building code.
Repairing the system will cost at least $350,000; the state already spent $6.7 million repairing the facility’s malfunctioning geo-thermal heating and cooling system.
State Sen. Matt McCoy said the project had been mismanaged by Gov. Terry Branstand’s administration, while Scott Norvell, chief executive officer of Master Builders of Iowa, said the project “has been a mess from the beginning.”
He predicts lawyers will ultimately be needed to resolve issues surrounding blame for the problems.
“No matter what, this is going to cost taxpayers millions of dollars,” he said.