The full effect of global affairs on construction pricing is not yet known, but Macon-Bibb County is moving forward with Phase I of plans to address overcrowding and security concerns at the Bibb County Jail.
In Tuesday’s Macon-Bibb County Commission meeting, Mayor Lester Miller said cost estimates to add 150 beds and enhance mental health services won’t be available until June, but the county agreed to spend a maximum of $1.2 million in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds to demolish the James R. Higgins Memorial Complex at 651 Hazel St.
That soon-to-be vacant space will provide parking for employees and visitors to replace the lot off First Street, which will become the new maximum-security wing that will have two dozen beds for inmates experiencing mental health challenges.
Late last year, initial cost estimates for the total project ranged from $28.5 million to $31 million.
“We have some things going on in the national news that affect prices, so we’re having little challenges on getting final prices on some things because of the national environment and things overseas,” Miller said.
The county also allocated bonus 2018 SPLOST funds of nearly $10 million that came in after the $280 million revenue cap was reached, but before the end of that fiscal quarter. The SPLOST referendum allowed for collections to continue until the end of the quarter.
The jail expansion received $4.3 million of that money to go toward construction.
Phase II includes interior renovations and preparation for pre-fabricated cells that will be loaded into place when crews add the maximum security housing pod.
Construction is expected to take up to 16 months as a temporary fix for overcrowding and security concerns in the 46-year-old jail, that is expected to eventually be replaced by a new law enforcement center.
From those additional 2018 SPLOST funds, $1.2 million upgrades the BRYX fire station alert system, $700K pays for capital improvements to the sheriff’s office including purchasing new rifles and pistols, $1.5 million adds sidewalks to Heath Road, $750K installs new data cables in the Bibb County Courthouse, $250K buys firefighter breathing apparatus and turn out gear, and $1.2 million funds Walnut Street renovations from MLK Jr. Blvd. to Carolyn Crayton Park.
In a separate agenda item, commissioners approved nearly $430K in remaining 2018 SPLOST funds to complete the parking lot at the end of Walnut Street, and adjust the contract for unforeseen costs due to buried concrete and soil issues.
Mayor Pro Tem Valerie Wynn wanted to know if fencing would be installed to prevent encampments from returning to that property near Daybreak’s day center for the unhoused. Miller said fencing is not included in the design but indicated they could add it later to address any security needs that arise.
Wynn also questioned the need for a $45K contract extension for Jake Hall’s Root Analytics firm to complete reports associated with January’s Point In Time count, or PIT count, to determine how many people are living on the street or in camps. That data provides the necessary information to apply for grants and better focus outreach to the unhoused.
Wynn suggested that money could be better spent at Brookdale Resource Center for local residents in need of housing, not transients, and voted against funding Root Analytics.
A United Way grant through Brookdale, which funded Hall’s initial work, ended last year.
Miller said that work needs to continue and this contract extension will help the county secure future grants to allow for new housing near Brookdale and potentially save millions of dollars.
Miller noted the recently-passed House Bill 295 that allows communities to be sued for not addressing nuisance encampments or other issues associated with the unhoused.
“This is something we’re in dire need of doing,” he said.
The mayor invited commissioners to suggest additional funding for Brookdale or other efforts during the upcoming budget process.
The county also approved $1.6 million to reroof hangars at Middle Georgia Regional Airport and $114K to install a new Parking Boxx Corp. automated parking system for the airport.
Streetscan USA, which provided data concerning road work priorities for the county’s Paving the Way program, will also begin work on a sidewalk analysis with $394K from the 2018 SPLOST.
The county also got the commission’s blessing to apply for a $2.9 million Local Road Assistance grant to pave an additional 29 miles of local roads.
“That’s a big chunk,” Miller said.
Other agenda items
Bloomfield Gilead Recreation Center will have new playground equipment from nearly $150K also allocated from the 2018 SPLOST.
Commissioners also accepted Homeland Security grants of nearly $490K for explosive ordinance disposal technology upgrades for the sheriff’s office, $7,550 for firefighter hazmat suits and rescue equipment, and $41,700 for search and rescue training and equipment.
The county also accepted $1 million from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program grant to extend the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail into Rose Hill Cemetery.
Commissioners approved the appointment of Joveta Turner as the county’s Chief Human Resources Officer. Over her 18 years working for the City of Macon and the consolidated government, Turner has served as interim head of the department two times, including being in that role since 2024.
Macon-Bibb Deputy Fire Chief Ronald Smith also was appointed to the Region 5 Emergency Medical Services Council.
Commissioners also approved renaming the Linear Park in Pleasant Hill as Willis B. Sheftall Sr. Legacy Park in honor of his service to the neighborhood.
After a four-part voting process, the community chose to honor the former leader of the Booker T. Washington Community Center who died in 1995.
—Civic Journalism Senior Fellow Liz Fabian covers Macon-Bibb County government entitites for The Macon Newsroom and can be reached at [email protected] or 478-301-2976.
—Civic Journalism Senior Fellow Liz Fabian covers Macon-Bibb County government entities for The Macon Newsroom and can be reached at [email protected].
