JONESBORO — An improvement project at the Clayton County Jail is estimated at $22.5 million, according to a presentation during a Nov. 14 Clayton County Board of Commissioners work session.
In September of 2022, the county commission entered into an agreement with I-3 Partners for consulting services regarding the installation of essential Clayton County infrastructure projects.
I-3 Partners then identified the Harold R. Banke Justice Complex as a building in need of “critical investment in its infrastructure,” according to the Nov. 14 presentation.
I-3 Partners brought in its engineering partner — Olsson Engineering — to complete a preliminary scope of work, which came out to about $22.5 million.
Financing for the project would be a 20-year term paid monthly with an interest rate of about 4.846%, according to documents from the presentation.
Monthly payments would be about $171,000.
When asked by Commissioner Gail Hambrick about the county already spending money on improvements at the jail, Deputy Chief Operating Officer Landry Merkison said the scope of the work is different in this project.
He said the work on this project is 90% HVAC and roof work.
Commissioner Alieka Anderson said she had several concerns about the I-3 Partners company — which is a relatively new company.
“I just don’t feel comfortable,” she said, adding that the company didn’t have a track record.
“We’ve been vetting this for quite some time,” Merkison said.
Clayton County Chief Operating Officer Derrick Stanford said the agreement with I-3 Partners was a way for the county to get alternative capital funding.
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