The Starke County Commissioners this week approved two contracts regarding the proposed construction of a new Starke County jail facility.
One contract was signed with Skillman Corporation, who will be handling the construction of the facility. The local on-site construction manager will be Bob Chorba, a Starke County resident. Chorba currently works with Skillman, and has been the project manager for several projects handled by Skillman. A contract was also signed with DLZ, the architectural firm that will be handling the design aspects of the facility.
The commissioners also discussed the possibility of composing a list of items that could be provided by local contractors in an effort to keep the work as local as possible. For example, construction workers will be in need of port-a-potties, which can be offered by a local contractor to keep more money in the community. This list will likely be discussed at the next meeting of the commissioners, Skillman Corporation, and DLZ.
While the commissioners have not yet decided on a location for the facility, officials say they are currently looking at a number of potential properties. They are trying to choose the ideal location that can not only house the facility, but also possibly the new radio tower for the Sheriff’s Department, and they also have to factor in the possibility of expansion.
