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Fairfield County Commissioners To Vote On New Jail

Jail cell
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Fairfield County's officials will vote next month to approve the construction of a new $34.5 million jail.

Michigan-based Granger Construction Co. presented cost figures and other project details to Fairfield County commissioners on Tuesday.

The total $34.5 million price tag includes $1.8 million that Granger will be paid to manage the project if it's approved at September's meeting.

Officials say the new 384-bed prison and sheriff's office would be operational by Sept. 2017. Plans call for the facility to be built in downtown Lancaster on land where a smaller jail currently sits.

Commissioner Steve Davis says county officials have discussed the need for a new jail for about 20 years.

The new facility would replace three outdated and overpopulated prisons in Fairfield County.