Construction Underway on California County Jail Project

By CN Staff

YOLO COUNTY, Calif.—Construction has begun on the Yolo County Main Monroe Jail expansion and renovation project in Woodland, Calif.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the $33 million project took place in June. The Monroe Center is a large, multi-phased renovation and expansion of the main jail that is focused on improving efficiencies and programs including medical and mental health and a day reporting center. This will include video and in person, non-contact spaces.

Additionally, expanded intake and release areas are part of the scope, as well as a new kitchen, new laundry, new in-custody and out-of-custody programs, and a new 32-bed mental health housing unit.

This project fulfills the crucial need of providing physical space for in-custody and out-of-custody inmates, affording them treatment, academic and vocational programs within a structured environment.

Lionakis is the architect on the project. Construction management is being handled by Kitchell. Broward Builders is the general contractor.

“This is a very important expansion and renovation for the Sheriff’s Department,” said Lionakis Project Principal Maynard Feist.

“It provides much needed program space for in-custody and a Day Reporting Center (DRC) for out-of-custody and alternatives to incarceration. The additional Mental Health housing and acute MH spaces will allow for better treatments.”

The overall facility square footage is approximately 117,000 square feet and includes the addition of a 16-unit double occupancy housing wing, along with the expansion of the existing medical and mental health clinic.

According to an article from the Davis Enterprise, funding for this project is coming largely from an AB 900 grant awarded by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) in conjunction with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

This jail expansion and remodel is the result of a collaborative effort between many county and state agencies including the Sheriff’s Office, Yolo County’s CAO’s Office, Department of Financial Services and County Counsel’s Office, the BSCC, CDCR, California State Public Works Board, California Department of Finance, and State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The project is scheduled for completion in 2021.