By Kimberly McMillian
Correspondent
DAYTON, Tenn. — The Rhea County Jail Committee interviewed four contractors Wednesday who want to build the county’s new jail.
The committee encouraged the contractors to submit their feasibility studies within 90 days, preferably sooner.
Last week, committee members expressed a need to have the studies back in six weeks, if possible, but certainly in advance of the March meeting with the state Tennessee Corrections Institute in Nashville.
The institute cited the jail for overcrowding in October but recently granted it recertification, as long as county leaders could show progress in a plan to build a new jail or renovate the current one.
The committee chose Hewlett Spencer, GRW, Southbuild Team and TWH Architects Inc. from among 14 prospects to interview.
Contractor Steve Hewlett told the committee that his team of contractors and architects would “be with you” from start to finish of the project, if selected.
Hewlett Spencer recently was chosen to manage the construction plans for the new high school in Evensville, Tenn.
County Commission Chairman Ronnie Raper, a member of the committee, asked each contractor if 90 days, as stated in the requests for proposals, would cause a problem.
“Ninety days is not a problem,” said Jim Woodrum, from Woodrum and Associates, who came with Hewlett Spencer.
GRW representatives said they could propose a plan within 75 days.
Jeff Knight, with the Rhea Sheriff’s Office, questioned whether the chosen builder could renovate the current jail or construct a modern building without designing something “futuristic” that would detract from the appearance of the Rhea County Courthouse.
“No one wants an eyesore,” Knight said.
Commissioner Bill Hollin said the courthouse was “historical, and we’ll need to maintain that building.”
James Langford, with Southbuild Team, said his company wouldn’t have to “tie the buildings together.”
Raper told the contractors that the National Historical Society wouldn’t allow any attachments to the courthouse.
Kimberly McMillian is based in Rhea County. Contact her at kdj424@bellsouth.net.