Saline County's new jail is almost ready to open. Here's what taxpayers invested in

At the end of the month, Saline County will have a new jail facility ready for operation.

The culmination of two years of meticulous planning and building, and more than a decade of work to get to that point, is anticipated to come next week, when Turner Construction hands over the keys to the facility on Sept. 25.

Back in 2020, voters approved a half-percent sales tax increase to help fund the $89.65 million project. And since the project broke ground in October 2021, through unpredictable markets, supply chain shortages and other challenges, it has remained on time and within budget.

Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan has been working on this idea of a new jail since before he became sheriff and was corrections captain. To see it come to fruition now is nothing short of astonishing, he said.

"It's kind of surreal, actually," Soldan said.

A celebration and ribbon cutting will be held Oct. 31, two years and four days from when Turner Construction officially broke ground. Here's a look at what's left to do, and a refresher on what the new jail provides for.

Punch-list items are still being completed

County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes said in his most recent jail project update that punch list items are the majority of what's left to do at the new jail facility.

Architects, contractors and Saline County staff have completed walk-throughs and checks in each section of the building monitoring progress.

Leading up to Sept. 25, some punch list items include fencing at the facility, touch-up painting, asphalt work in parking lots, and other landscaping work. Workers are on the site daily to keep the project on time, Smith-Hanes said.

Soldan said that though the facility will be complete this month, there will be more steps to take before Sheriff's Office staff and inmates can move into the building.

"Overall, September 25 is going to be the point where we could move in and operate it if we wanted to, but we're not planning to," Soldan said.

As equipment, technology and personnel transition into the new building in October and November, training exercises and thorough checks of the facility will take place to ensure it is ready for smooth operation. Inmates should be housed in the new jail by early December, Soldan said.

For a while, there were concerns about having adequate staffing at the new jail. The larger space increased capacity and therefore required more correctional officers. Back in March, Soldan came to the County Commission with this concern.

After increasing starting wages and continuing hiring incentives, the Sheriff's Office has bridged a gap in workers. There were 34 openings this spring, and in early September there were just eight.

A unique event dubbed "Slumber in the Slammer" will take place Nov. 3, where people can experience life as an inmate and stay the night in the jail. Those who would like a tour of the jail without staying the night can also attend an open house the following day, Nov. 4.

Tours will be held from 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Nov. 4 and are free of charge.

So what, exactly, is new at the new jail?

The new jail, located at 800 East Pacific Avenue in Salina, will have a capacity of 392 inmates, fit with appropriate medical and special needs housing. The new building increases capacity and provides better space for offices and rehabilitation programs. Adequate parking for staff and the public was also worked into the building plans.

Modernized and expanded spaces can be seen throughout the new jail facility. There is a recreation yard fitted with tall ceilings and space for movement. A new outdoor courtyard provides inmates with fresh air. New and improved kitchen, booking area, central control, medical unit and other facilities are modernized with safety features for inmates and staff.

More: Experience life as an inmate during this Saline County event celebrating its new jail

Soldan said those who are interested in seeing what their taxpayer dollars have invested in should check out the tours in November.

"When I go over there and walk around the place, it's hard to believe it's really ours," Soldan said.

Kendrick Calfee has been a reporter with the Salina Journal since 2022, primarily covering government and education. You can reach him at kcalfee@gannett.com or on X at calfee_kc.

This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Saline County's new jail is nearly complete. Here's what to know