By F.M. Wiggins
Progress-Index
PETERSBURG — The city’s jail is outdated, dangerous and while only about 40 years old - because of the heavy use the building - has seen its equivalent to a building 130 years old. But, building a new jail could exceed the cost of a proposed new city hall, estimated to cost at least $17 million.
Cary Gill, vice president of Moseley Architects, said that the feasibility study and the community-based corrections plan are the fist step for the city in getting any sort of “buy-in from the Department of Corrections.”
Gill laid out five options for the city including doing nothing or renovating the structure which he said he would advise against. “You end up spending a lot of money and getting less space.”
Another option would include renovating and expanding, which would cost the city between $16 million and $22 million. Building a new jail, either a jail big enough for about 210 inmates with the most serious offenders staying at Riverside Regional Jail, could cost the city between $20 million and $22 million. A second new construction option would be for a jail that could hold up to 160 inmates for pretrial services, and non-violent offenders. That would be an estimated $15 million to $17 million.
Gill said that is the option he would recommend.
Full story: Report: New jail would cost at least $17 million