UP TO $10,000
The committee that is studying what county officials say is an overcrowded detention facility will be getting the services of an architectural firm.
This week, the Platte County Commission approved a contract with HMN Architects. The amount spent under the contract is not to exceed $10,000, per terms of the contract approved on Monday.
County officials say the architectural firm can give the committee some cost ideas on any potential facility construction projects.
“The purpose of this committee will be to help find solutions to our overcrowded inmate detention center,” states the county’s website.
In recent weeks, the committee has strayed its discussion to include the possibility of proposing a new courthouse (often referred to as a “justice center” by proponents) that would be built somewhere other than Downtown Platte City.
But recent reports from engineers hired to evaluate the existing historic courthouse in Platte City report the building is in sound condition and “can continue to be used as s courthouse or a like use.”
The current courthouse’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing infrastructure is in good condition, according to the engineers.
County commissioners have approved the cost of two new courtrooms to be developed within the existing courthouse, a renovation of the secured main entrance and various other improvements to the courthouse office spaces. ARPA money, federal grant funds, will be used to perform those renovations and improvements.
“The renovations should help our courthouse to serve the next generation of litigants, lawyers, judges and staff,” Joe Vanover, second district county commissioner, said last week.
In the contract’s scope of services, HMN Architects says its assistance to the committee will include, but is not limited to:
•Attend scheduled meetings.
•Provide guidance in reviewing possible site options “We would recommend the committee consider three to five options.
•Provide guidance on establishing appropriate bed count based on the Bill Garnos (jail consultant) inmate population projection and the “possible desire to capture some open bed revenue.”
•Provide guidance on the scope of a project, including “detention center only, law enforcement center, or justice center.”
•Provide opinion of probable construction cost and project budget for options.
•Provide opinion on feasibility of different construction options such as vertical expansion of the existing facility.
•Provide preliminary block diagrams depicting a design concept necessary for the committee to make an informed decision, including expansion options.
•Assist in presentation to the commission regarding the preferred recommendation.
Also, in their public safety assistance proposal HMN Architects lists what it calls “preliminary meeting agendas” for the committee. The committee has a deadline of Nov. 6 to make a recommendation to the county commission. HMN’s documents says:
•“Sept. 19 meeting should focus on site selection and establishing a bed count. We may want to schedule a visit to the proposed sites.”
•Oct. 3 meeting: “Review site options and identify proposed preferred location and determine scope of project.”
•Oct. 17 meeting: “Review proposed design options.”
•Oct. 31 meeting: “Finalize decisions and plan presentation to the commission.”
HMN adds that “we may want to schedule some interim meetings if needed.”