Anderson County Council has approved authorizing the issuance and sale of bonds not exceeding $35 million, which will be used to fund the construction of the new detention center.
In addition, the council on January 7 approved Ordinance No. 2025-059, which authorizes issuing and selling bonds not exceeding an additional $55 million.
This will allow Anderson County Detention Facilities Corporation to refund outstanding bonds previously issued for the County Jail Project.
“The County paid off a lot of bond debt that it owed, and we’re just replacing that old debt with brand-new debt for this project,” Anderson County Town Administrator Rusty Burns said in August 2024.
The decision was made to optimize the county’s debt structure and reduce financial burdens over time.
Anderson County broke ground on the new detention facility on Friday, August. 16, with an expected completion date in December 2026.
At the January 7 meeting, Rita Davis, CPA, chief financial officer of Anderson County, emphasized the importance of securing additional funding to cover various aspects of the project.
She mentioned that this funding would ensure the jail is adequately furnished.
“It will support initial construction costs and cover CEI inspections, as well as other necessary expenses, Davis said.
Davis indicated they plan to have a public sale for these bonds and aim to enter the market around April.
“We’re looking at a 3.87% interest rate right now,” Davis said. “Of course, that rate can fluctuate daily, so we’ll have a clearer picture as we approach the sale date in April.”
Anderson County Council break to executive session during the first meeting of the year January 7, 2025.
Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns speaks during a third reading of ordinance 2025-001, about property at 313 South Towers Street, at the first meeting of the year January 7, 2025.
How much will the state-of-the-art detention center cost?
Anderson County’s state-of-the-art detention center will cost $83 million, combining the newly approved bond authorizations.
This funding will ensure the facility meets modern standards, making it a safer environment for staff and inmates. Additionally, it will also address the county’s growing jail population needs.
Burns said the upcoming facility will also come at no cost to taxpayers.
Here’s where the new detention center will be built
The detention center will be constructed adjacent to the current center, located at the corner of Matthew Drive and Martin Luther King Boulevard.
This location ensures a smooth transition from one facility to another.
Once completed, inmates will be moved into the newly constructed facility, minimizing routine disruption.
As construction nears completion, demolition will continue.
This approach aims to maintain security and efficiency throughout the process.
Burns said the new part of the old jail will be turned into a juvenile facility for Anderson County and all surrounding counties.
Project plans, inmate capacity, and other features
According to project plans, the newly constructed facility will accommodate 650 inmates.
Support spaces such as a Vehicular Sallyport, intake and booking area, property storage, medical facilities, kitchen, laundry, administration offices, storage, and public lobby will also be included.
This includes additional security and safety measures and knowledge of relevant federal laws and regulations.
Construction and design phases
Construction and design phases will be carried out by a team of experienced architects and engineers specializing in correctional facilities.
The design will incorporate the latest technology to enhance security features, such as advanced surveillance systems and automated access control.
John Fox of Anderson County Roads and Bridges is the project manager.
Fox has been with Anderson County Roads and Bridges for several years and has private construction experience.
Vannoy Construction will handle general contracting and construction management for the newly constructed detention center.
ECS Southeast will complete the project’s initial and supplemental subsurface explorations and geotechnical engineering analyses.
Moseley Architects will design the newly constructed detention center.
Land Planning Associates, a civil engineering firm based in Easley, will perform the necessary land planning and site development studies.
Foodesign Associates of Charlotte, North Carolina, a food and laundry service consultant, will analyze the facility’s dietary and laundry needs.
Why does Anderson County need to build detention center?
The current detention center in Anderson County, built in the 1950s, is inadequate for the county’s expanding prison population.
It is designed to house approximately 240 inmates but currently holds over 400, leading to overcrowding and safety concerns.
The newly constructed facility will alleviate these issues by providing more space and modern amenities to serve inmates and staff better.
South Carolina has only one juvenile detention center in Columbia, which results in inmates being released early, according to Anderson County Sheriff Chad McBride.
Burns emphasized the inefficiencies of transporting juveniles to the distant Columbia facility.
“This ties up deputies for an entire day and drains valuable resources,” he said.
The design includes expandable features to accommodate potential increases in the inmate population over the next two decades, ensuring long-term utility and adaptability.
Improving mental health options for inmates
“With a larger detention center, there will be more opportunities for mental health programs and educational initiatives to help inmates reintegrate into society,” McBride said.
Burns said Anderson County is also looking to establish a mental health court.
Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns, poses with others for photographer Van Sullivan as the New Year begins the first meeting of the year January 7, 2025.
He said many of the individuals who end up in the detention facility suffer from mental illness.
This newly constructed detention center will not only address the immediate issue of overcrowding but also provide a more holistic approach to rehabilitation and support for those in need.
Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: Detention center bonds approved for $90 million by Anderson County