Although there is no confirmed time period for reconstruction, the Hays courthouse and law enforcement center will undergo remodeling soon and the city of Hays has received bids for the construction project.
“The goals of this project were to increase the capacity of the jail, provide an enlarged and safer booking area for inmates, to provide a secure connection between the jail and courthouse, and to renovate and upgrade the courthouse facility,” said Andrew Pitts, Treanor architect.
Transformations will start at the law enforcement center where they will incorporate a two-story addition to the north side of the building, including the area where officers bring detainees. Following improvements scheduled include the first floor booking area, Sherriff’s reception/lobby and Hays police offices. Further, the entire second floor will be remodeled for new jail housing and support space and between the courthouse and the jail will be a three-story addition providing a security link between the second floor jail and the courtrooms in the courthouse. A new secure public entry is also planned that will be located on the south side of the facility, along with upgrades to the electrical and plumbing systems.
“Two new jury rooms will be included in the addition along with a video visitation area for persons to visit those housed in the jail facility,” Pitts said.
Due to parking limitations during the construction process, court, law enforcement and jail operations will be moved during construction. After the completion of the project, there will be less parking on the north side of the law enforcement center.
“We will be relocating the Administer, Clerk, Treasurer, Register of Deeds and the Information Technology office in December of this year to 718 Main,” said County Administrator Greg Sund.
“With the relocation of county offices into a new facility, the courthouse will be remodeled to better meet the needs of the courts, county clerk, county attorney’s office, and court services/probation offices,” Pitts said.
Four bids were submitted for the project; Lloyd Builders, $7,242,000, Law Company, $7,173,000, Paul Wertenberger, $7,322,500, and MW Builders, $7,169,000. The cities budget for the entire project is $8.5 million and the construction budget is a little over $7.1 million.
The bids include remodeling of the law enforcement center, construction of a three-story building connecting the law enforcement center to the courthouse and the renovation of the courthouse.
There is no confirmed time period for construction yet, but it is planned to last between 325 and 420 days.