News Summary
Construction has commenced on a new state prison in Lincoln, set to replace the outdated Nebraska State Penitentiary. With an investment of $350 million from the Nebraska Legislature, the new facility will feature 1,512 beds, improving housing capacity and safety for staff. Hausmann Construction, awarded the project with a bid of $312 million, aims for completion by mid-August 2028. The project seeks to address overcrowding concerns and enhance rehabilitative services for inmates. A meeting with state officials is scheduled to discuss pre-construction details.
Lincoln, Nebraska – Construction has officially begun on a new state prison in Lincoln, which will feature 1,512 beds to replace the aging Nebraska State Penitentiary. Early signs of construction were observed on Wednesday, following the finalization of a contract with Hausmann Construction valued at $312,259,000 on July 24.
The construction activities commenced last Tuesday, starting with preliminary efforts to clear the site by cutting weeds and grass. The facility will be situated north of Interstate 80, adjacent to North 70th Street, close to the city of Lincoln. This new prison aims to enhance housing capacity for inmates, offering better programming space and improved safety features for staff.
Hausmann Construction, selected for the project due to their lowest bid of $313.3 million, will be working under a timeline of 1,110 days to substantially complete the prison, targeting a completion date of around mid-August 2028. Alternate bidders included a joint venture of Sampson Construction/Caddell Construction with a bid of $344.3 million and Clark Construction/MCL Construction at $341 million.
Funding for the project is underpinned by a $350 million appropriation from the Nebraska Legislature, ensuring the construction remains within budget. The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services plans continual evaluations of project efficiencies throughout the construction process.
A meeting is scheduled with officials from the State on Friday to discuss pre-construction details, as indicated by a spokesperson from Hausmann Construction. The officials from the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services expressed satisfaction that the bids for this facility were substantially lower than the costs associated with prison construction in other states.
As construction of the new prison gets underway, Hausmann Construction finds itself embroiled in a separate legal dispute in Iowa. The company has filed a lawsuit linked to the Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center project, alleging non-payment and reputational damage caused by other involved parties.
To date, Nebraska has invested $33.8 million into the prison project. This expenditure includes expenses related to land acquisition, as well as design work provided by DLR Group, based in Omaha.
The new prison facility is expected to address growing concerns about overcrowding in Nebraska’s correctional system, while also aiming to enhance rehabilitative services for inmates. As the project progresses, officials remain focused on meeting established timelines and budgetary expectations, while ensuring the future institution meets the needs of both staff and inmates alike.
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Additional Resources
- Nebraska Examiner: Hausmann Construction Chosen for New Prison
- KLKN TV: Nebraska Accepts $313 Million Bid for New Prison
- Journal Star: New Nebraska Prison Update
- Wikipedia: Prison Reform in the United States
- Google Search: Nebraska Prison Construction
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