Virginia Public-Private Jail Receives DBIA Award

WASHINGTON — The Design-Build Institute of America honored the recently completed public-private expansion of Virginia’s 654-bed Rappahannock Regional Jail at the organization’s national conference in November.
 
The 480-bed expansion and 264,000-square-foot renovation project, which was completed in 18 months to alleviate overcrowding problems at existing jail, received a design-build Merit Award in the category of public sector building projects valued at more than $25 million.
 
As reported in Correctional News (see the July/Aug 2009 issue), the two-story podular addition incorporates a four-level mezzanine configuration that conforms to a hybrid inmate classification model to deliver medium- to maximum-security housing. To enhance operational efficiency in the existing facility, which was constructed in 2000, the project team modernized the inmate and intake/processing area, reconfigured video visitation and added new space for the magistrate.
 
Dallas-based Balfour Beatty Construction and PSA-Dewberry, headquartered in Peoria, Ill., delivered the $49 million design-build project under Virginia’s 2002 Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act. The act allows public agencies to accept unsolicited proposals from private entities for public sector building and infrastructure projects, promotes public-private partnership and encourages innovative approaches to construction and financing.
 
PSA-Dewberry also provided security electronics and interior design services, while parent company Dewberry, which is headquartered in Fairfax, Va., provided civil engineering services.
 
Local firm Hankins and Anderson provided mechanical, electrical and structural engineering services. Specialty contractors on the project included Tindall Corp., Cornerstone Detention Products, Stanley Security Solutions, Colonial Webb, English Construction Co. and Express Electric.
 
The public-private procurement process and design-build delivery method generated significant cost and time savings to bring the jail expansion and renovation project, which added 112,000 square feet of space, to completion more than six months ahead of the challenging 26-month schedule.