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The Legislature’s Public Safety Committee, after reviewing a cost summary breakdown for two design options under active consideration, today reached a recommended design for an outdoor recreational structure as part of the renovation of the Tompkins County Jail—that structure to be constructed in conjunction with interior renovations that add seven beds to the capacity of the jail.

The committee, by a 5-0 margin, voted to advance to full Legislature consideration an option that locates the covered structure on the western portion of the existing recreation yard, oriented to the east.  That option, which had been suggested by Sheriff Ken Lansing and the newest design presented to the committee last week, would add an east-facing fourth wall, made up of glass block on either end and a large center opening that could be covered by a roll-down metal door in the event of inclement weather.

Legislator Leslyn McBean-Clairborne said her vote in support came for the purpose of advancing the matter to the full Legislature, and indicated that her position might change at the time of a future Legislature vote.

The recommendation would direct Labella Architects to proceed with final design that includes the outdoor recreation option, at an estimated project cost of about $896,400.  That is roughly $38,000 more than the original estimate, and about $70,000 more than another steel-frame, west-facing design  alternative.

Committee Chair Brian Robison noted that the favored design carries the advantage of making the structure usable virtually all the time, essentially eliminating the need for alternative indoor recreation space, and others commented that design features and increased functionality of the space make the design the proper choice.

Cost of the project, together with expense for needed repair of a security system at the jail, will be covered by the bond resolution, recommended by the budget committee,  that would authorize up to $910,000 in bonding for the jail renovation project.

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