NCJ Number
110580
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 50 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1988) Pages: 16-18
Date Published
1988
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article describes how the Florida counties of Broward and Duval designed and constructed new jail facilities speedily and without sacrificing quality or increasing costs.
Abstract
Broward County used the design/build concept, which requires teams of contractors and architects to submit a design that incorporates the building program in the proposal request for a lump-sum bid. After awarding the contract, site clearing and foundation work began simultaneously with the preparation of the architectural and engineering plans and specifications. To limit construction time, the design concept included load-bearing, precast concrete cells with precast concrete columns, beams, and roof decks. The 400-bed facility was designed, constructed, and occupied 15 months after the contract award at a cost of $8.9 million, excluding architectural and impact fees. In July 1985, Duval County and Jacksonville were placed under a court order to provide new or renovated jail facilities by June 1990. Because of a delay due to site selection for the jail, only 34 months remained to start the design process and complete the construction. The design process required 10 months, and the 1,200-bed facility, presently under construction, is to be completed in 25 months. The major feature permitting speedy construction is the use of repetitive, load-bearing, precast concrete cells that minimize the amount of onsite construction work. The facility will cost $55 million. Facility designs are described.