County officials scale back jail project as Lucas County continues to consider how to fund it

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – Construction is now halted and behind-the-scenes work is underway to ensure Lucas County's new jail project stays afloat.

There is no construction work underway and no one knows when it will resume. The work is currently taking place behind the scenes and is reducing operations while ensuring they can still accommodate the number of people expected.

At this point in the process, Lucas County Sheriff Mike Navarre is trying to determine what was removed from the original project and what remains.

“We’re going to try to reduce the number of beds to a more affordable level without sacrificing size,” Navarre said. “We don’t want to reduce the number of beds. We don’t want to reduce the number of units.”

With a price tag approaching $300 million and high interest rates, features like underground parking, an administrative floor and space for electronic surveillance are up for grabs.

“With these changes, we are getting closer to what I consider an affordable project,” Sheriff Navarre said.

Ultimately, the financial decision rests with Lucas County commissioners, what payments they can handle and what interest rates work for them. This project has been in the works for nearly a decade.

“The first frustration was three years ago when we were thinking about building it on the health department site, and that didn’t work out for a number of reasons,” Sheriff Navarre said.

With interest rates and costs rising, the sector is becoming increasingly expensive and is now essentially on hold, with the likelihood of it coming back to life.

“When? I can’t tell you when. But I think we’re still on track to build a new jail,” Navarre said. “That could change, but right now, I think we’re still moving forward. We’re doing what we need to do to make this happen.”

When the county feels more comfortable with these interest rates, we are told it will go to the bond market and attempt to borrow the money needed to finally make this project a reality.

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