07-05-2025
New Madison County Jail on schedule, within budget
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ANDERSON — Construction on the new Madison County Jail in North Anderson is on schedule and within budget, the Madison County Commissioners learned Tuesday.
Consultant Eric Weflen, representing the county on the project, said the budget's hard and soft costs are as anticipated.
The total cost of the project to build a 525-bed facility in North Anderson is $105.5 million.
Weflen said the jail is expected to open in September 2026.
The commissioners previously reached an agreement with general contractor Garmong Construction for a guaranteed price of $97.5 million.
Weflen said 80% to 90% of the site work has been completed despite difficult weather conditions.
He said all the underground plumbing and electrical work has been completed and that the steel frame is being erected on the two portions of the jail that will house inmates.
Weflen said the jail staff has selected the paint colors for the facility and work is underway on the keys for the facility.
He said all the foundation work on the two portions of the jail for use as cell blocks would be completed this week.
The first pods containing the future jail cells should begin arriving by July from the manufacturer located in Georgia.
'It's coming along quickly,' Commissioner John Richwine said.
Richwine said the work to relocate a legal drain along the west and north edge of the property has not begun.
He said the commissioners continue to talk with the court system and officials with the Madison County Community Corrections Complex on possibly adding cell blocks to the facility.
That could add 200 beds to the project.
'It's possible we can refinance the project,' Richwine said.
The county issued $79.7 million in bonds for the project last year.
The county is financing a portion of the projected debt for the new jail through the correctional local option income tax, which was expected to generate more than $6.2 million in 2024.
The Madison County Council approved using $7 million in American Rescue Plan funds for the project in November.
The site for the new jail is on Broadway behind several commercial businesses including the Wendy's and Captain D's and north of the Anderson roller arena.
The county purchased the property from Meijer at a cost of $795,000.
