CRAWFORD COUNTY (KFSM) — Crawford County unveiled its new $20 million detention center Friday (Nov. 4) after two years of construction.
The new state-of-the-art facility on Highway 64 can hold 300 inmates. The building also has a 911 dispatching center, a circuit court room, and offices for the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department. The jail is also outfitted with the latest technology, including computerized cell doors.
One reason this facility was built was for overcrowding issues that the county has faced for several years.
Although the building is finished, convincing the community to build it was challenging. The project was turned down by voters three times in previous years. City leaders were finally able to convince the community the “need” for this new jail, and a half cent sales tax was approved in 2014 to fund the construction and operations of the facility.
The project itself actually came in under budget.
“I’m suggesting to the quorum court that they pay off the bonding issue and get that half cent sales tax paid down to get the tax burden off people,” said Crawford County Judge John Hall.
As for the old Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and jail, it’s going to be up to the incoming administration to decide what they will do with it.
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Friday (Nov. 4) to celebrate the opening of the new facility. The ceremony starts at 10:30 a.m. at the new building. Tours will be given afterwards until 1 p.m.
The Crawford County Courthouse will be closed from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday so county employees can attend the event.
