(L to R) Pittsfield Township Supervisor Mandy Grewel, County Commissioner Barbara Bergman, Judge Kirk Tabbey, Judge Richard Conlin, Washtenaw County Administrator Bob Guenzel, County Commissioner Wes Prater,  County Commissioner Jeff Iriwn, Judge Cedric Simpson and County Commissioners Ken Schwartz, Kristin Judge and Rolland Sizemore

After years of often heated political discussion, a failed millage, an entire two-term administration at the Office of the Sheriff and numerous inmates released early by court mandate due to severe overcrowding, nearly all the principles attended the official groundbreaking for the expansion of the Washtenaw County Jail this week.

The construction project also includes a new home for the 14A-1 District Court, adjacent to the jail, where Huron Valley Ambulance had been located.

A cold, overcast winter day didn’t dampen the spirits as County Commissioners and local officials took up their shovels for the groundbreaking ceremony.  “It’s been a long time coming, but you have to feel good today,” said Commissioner Barbara Bergman.

The County hired the west Michigan architecture and engineering firm Tower Pinkster for the undertaking, spending $27,800,000 in construction costs for both projects.

The jail expansion will add 96 beds and upgrade the jail infrastructure and supports systems.  The County Jail has experienced periods of severe, persistent overcrowding over the past five years, including times when early release of inmates was legally mandated.
 
The 14A1 District Court, a retrofitted monastery built in the 1950s, has raised concerns about security in recent years.   All of the County’s preliminary examinations are conducted at 14A-1 courtrooms, right next to the Traffic Bureau.  The new 14A-1 District Court will replace and expand the former Huron Valley Ambulance building, next to the Jail, offering many more options for maintaining public security, especially in the transport of prisoners for arraignments and trials.  Both of these construction projects are due for completion in 2010.

The group of helmeted officials followed the outdoor ceremony by hearing a few commemorative words from individuals who have been so invested in this project.  Washtenaw County Administrator Bob Guenzel; former County Commissioner Mandy Grewal, who is now the Supervisor for Pittsfield Township where the project is located; Judge Kirk Tabbey, presiding judge of 14A District Court; Commander Kirk Filsinger of the Office of the Sheriff and Commissioner Jeff Irwin, Chair of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners.  Sheriff Dan Minzey was unavailable, but Sheriff-elect Jerry Clayton attended the ceremony.

Pittsfield Supervisor Mandy Grewal had a unique perspective on her former position, her new position and what the day’s occasion meant for the citizens of Washtenaw County.  “I guess you could say that we are looking at two definitions of the word “groundbreaking” today,” she said.  “One that is about the first steps to construction, and the other is the groundbreaking nature of this whole project.  We are “groundbreaking” in the sense that we truly are breaking with the past and moving towards a future we have envisioned and imagined for so long.  We are taking real steps to a better future that offers many more possibilities.”