The groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the new Fayette County Jail has been scheduled and invitations have been sent out to various organizations.
The ceremony will be held on June 24 at 11 a.m. at 1500 Robinson Road in Washington Court House. If weather remains wet, according to Fayette County Commissioner Dan Dean, parking will be limited, so those who wish to come must be prepared to walk to the site. Nearby parking will be available for out-of-town guests such as the USDA.
Light refreshments for the ceremony will be available in the old firehouse.
Initially, the loan for the project was going to be closed during the ceremony, however the closing of the loan has been suspended until July.
According to the county commissioners, the loan’s interest rate will not increase by waiting, but there is the possibility the loan’s interest rate could decrease if it is closed at a later date. Dean explained if the rate drops by a quarter, over $750,000 can be saved over the life of the loan. While this wouldn’t decrease the monthly payments, it would decrease the number of years the loan is being payed into.
Commissioner Tony Anderson explained that commissioners after them will always have requests for funding. He said, “The sooner we can get rid of the demand of the taxpayers’ money for the jail, then it will loosen the board up to help fund something else.”
Anderson was authorized to sign the Notice of Commencement for Granger Construction Company to begin construction of the jail during a commissioners’ meeting on June 17.
Also at a recent commissioners’ meeting, a lease agreement was entered into with Granger Construction Company. The lease is effective from June 10 through Oct. 19 of 202o or until the new jail has been completed. The lease is for construction site offices and other support services involved in the project.
A levy for the new jail passed at the May special election.
The public is welcome to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the new jail construction.
Reach Jennifer Woods at 740-313-0355.
