There has been an assessment of the current Geary County jail. To make all the recommended improvements would carry a cost of around $29 million, according to a report received Monday by the Geary County Commission. It is possible that number could change in the future.
The assessment of the facility came from a senior associate of HMN of Overland Park, Shawn Harding.
The Detention Center was initially built in 1959 and there have been add-on structures in 1986 and 2006. The 1986 structure was recommended for demolition as was the case with some segments of the 1959 structure. The 2006 addition is still considered relatively new.
Some of the deficiencies mentioned in the structure ranged from damage to walls in the 1986 structure to code issues, ADA issues , water lines and roof issues. Mechanical challenges, electrical and fire protection issues were mentioned.
County officials do plan to look into whether it will be more cost effective to build a new facility.
No final decisions have been made on this possible project. It will be studied.