Woodbury County Jail will soon be largely completed

Earlier this week, LEC officials said they were waiting for a final report before they could consider the facility “substantially complete” and allow occupancy. The report should arrive on Tuesday or Wednesday.

The authority announced on Friday that it now expects the certificate of substantial completion from Goldberg Group Architects on Friday or Monday.

“In light of this positive news, the agency and the County Sheriff's Office have planned for the agency to officially turn over the keys to the county next week,” the LEC agency said in a press release. “At that time, the Sheriff's Office and other county officials will begin the move-in process and otherwise complete the setup, training and other activities necessary to be ready to accept inmates into the facility.”

The report the agency was waiting for concerns recently installed seismic struts. In July, the agency announced that 292 seismic struts in the fire suppression system had not been installed as designed. The installation work was completed and reviewed by an independent auditor. The agency was waiting for the auditor's report.

Once the facility has the certificate, the general contractor has 60 days to complete the final work. Shane Albrecht, project manager at LEC consultant Baker Group, said the remaining work can be done without entering the facility.

“The Authority is confident that this work can and will be accomplished within this time frame and looks forward to final completion of the project within 60 days,” the press release states. “To reiterate, the Authority is doing everything it can to finalize this project and will ensure that the facility is fully and properly completed upon opening and completion.”