Feasibility Study Considered for Chickasaw County Jail

A feasible study on the future of the Chickasaw County Jail in New Hampton remains under consideration by the Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors.

During their regular meeting Monday, supervisors heard from two companies making their pitches to conduct the feasibility study of the 65-year-old jail. Options include upgrading the current facility, building a new jail, or possibly a joint law enforcement center with the New Hampton Police Department.

Greg Wild with the Samuels Group, the same company involved with the building of the Floyd County Law Enforcement Center in Charles City, says what direction Chickasaw County takes can depend on what type of jail they would like to become.

John Hansen, President of Midwest Construction Consultants, which helped build the new Howard County Jail and Dispatch Center in Cresco, says whatever happens with the jail will require a lot of planning.

The first phase of the feasibility study to assess the needs of the current jail could cost about $20,000. It could be another $30,000 to develop a schematic design for upgrades or building new.

No decision on proceeding with the study or who would conduct the study was made by the board