Continuing its consideration of the proposed renovation of the County Public Safety Building, the Legislature’s Public Safety Committee today reviewed a suggested redesign renderings of the Jail’s outdoor recreation area, a design that responds to concerns voiced by some to add more openness and air circulation to the outdoor area.

The design, presented by LaBella Architects, would replace much of the solid back wall of the three-sided structure with a five-panel mesh-covered opening, an opening that could be covered by a roll-down overhead door in the event of inclement weather.  Under that proposed design, the former concrete structure would become a steel-frame shelter, with steel trusses and a metal roof.

Drawings of the latest proposed design are posted on the County Administration website.

There was considerable discussion of design features and options, and while many committee members said they viewed the design as improved over what had been proposed before, there were still concerns expressed about how the view and sunlight could be limited, changing the sense of place of the exercise yard.

Following discussion, it was decided to ask the architects to advance one more proposed design—privoting the covered portion of the yard from the east side to the west, closer to the jail building, and there was consensus that the newest alternate should use the initial three-wall solid design, with the one open wall facing east.  Drainage features will also be modified for that design option.

The committee also agreed to call a special meeting May 5 to visit the jail and get a first-hand look at what the various design options would mean.  Chair Brian Robison had suggested that perhaps the two parts of the renovation project should be split, separating the indoor dormitory option (since there seemed to be a greater level of agreement on the need to build the dormitory space to add seven beds).  But it was pointed out that this approach would not work, since by state Commission on Correction regulations, there must be recreation space preserved before the work could begin on modification to the current indoor rec. space.

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