JE Dunn Selected for Greene County Jail Expansion

By Aziza Jackson

GREENE COUNTY, Mo. – JE Dunn Construction is partnering with DeWitt & Associates, Inc. to manage the construction of the Greene County Jail expansion project.

The expansion includes administrative space for the sheriff, jail, staff development, staff locker rooms and dining, and pre-trial rooms. Programming includes a library, multipurpose room, attorney inmate consultation, visitation area, recreation areas, video courtroom, and a chapel. Support services include laundry, medical services, food service, commissary, operations support, facility maintenance, and storage. Housing includes male and female minimum-, medium-, and maximum-security cells, administrative segregation, and rooms to accommodate mental health occupants. General needs include secured official vehicle parking, public parking, conference rooms, and storage.

“We really feel the team of JE Dunn and DeWitt will serve Greene County well,” said Presiding Commissioner Bob Cirtin. “They bring to the table the ability and scope of vision to take on a project of this importance while also offering a local presence.”

The Greene County Jail currently serves an average daily population of more than 700 inmates. The sheriff’s office is made up of 350 staff members and was in need of a new, updated facility to house all of the employees. The new structure will be adjacent to the current facility and will connect via an overhead walkway. The existing jail will be renovated to accommodate for expanded services.

The county has been trying to manage an ever-increasing jail population through various programs instituted by the Greene County Commission, Sheriff’s Office, the City of Springfield, the Prosecutor’s office, and the Greene County Courts. The trend of overpopulation has been a concern to the county, city, and the community for many years. Due to overpopulation, the county contracted with other Sheriffs in Missouri, and most recently added a temporary structure to house overflow inmates.

“The opportunity to work with Greene County before conceptual ideas of the justice center are drawn is critical in providing citizens a high performing facility with the most programming for the best value,” said Vance McMillan, JE Dunn Project Executive.

In the last five years, JE Dunn Construction and DeWitt & Associates, Inc. have completed 1,313 construction manager at risk projects, including several public safety, jail, and law enforcement facilities.