Escambia Approves $89 Million Bond Issue To Build New County Jail

May 26, 2017

The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday to approve a bond issue of up to $89 million to construct a new county jail.

The project will consists of the planning, design and construction of a new 1,500 rated bed correctional facility on 14.65 at the  corner of Fairfield Drive and Pace Boulevard.. It is expected to take three years to construct the facility, once plans are approved.

The total cost for the project will be $134 million — $89 million from the bond issue and the remainder from a FEMA grant of $50 million.

The bonds will be repaid by 2047 using Local Option Sales Tax Funds. The bond interest and fees will cos Escambia County about $9.5 million.

The Central Booking and Detention was damaged beyond repair during a natural gas explosion following flooding on April 30, 2014, forcing the county to find temporary housing for about 600 inmates. The new jail will replace the former Central Booking and Detention Center and the current Main Jail.

Comments

5 Responses to “Escambia Approves $89 Million Bond Issue To Build New County Jail”

  1. Esc co leo on May 27th, 2017 10:02 am

    @ Bob c

    By overcapacity, he means there are already more inmates than 1500 beds will hold. There is no room for what we currently have, let alone to grow or house inmates from other places.

  2. Bob C. on May 26th, 2017 6:35 pm

    @ DAGB

    If over capacity then maybe Escambia can rent out space to other counties and feds then regain some of the MILLIONS sent to Santa Rosa (and they’ve put it to good use) and other counties to house their inmates.

  3. Eric Winans on May 26th, 2017 5:52 pm

    I’m so happy criminals will get something nice instead of building a real athletic complex with a competition pool and indoor track… what a waste it would be to give our tax dollars to hard work, athletic kids!

  4. ???????????????? on May 26th, 2017 8:30 am

    Why is it replacing the main jail? Why does it take so long to get something done and built? They STILL haven’t approved the plans, going to take another 3 years.

  5. DAGB on May 26th, 2017 4:55 am

    1500 Beds…. over capacity before it’s even built, good job