Genesee County plans $464,000 jail shower upgrade

The Genesee County Board of Commissioners is looking to upgrade the shower facilities at the Genesee County Jail. This improvement is expected to cost over $464,000. The issue will be discussed in a committee meeting on Wednesday, March 19. The jail, which opened nearly 40 years ago, has a long list of needed repairs. A 2023 report indicates that it will require more than $21 million in upgrades by 2032 to remain safe and functional. Michael Noonan, the Deputy Director of Facilities & Operations, highlighted health concerns with the current shower facilities, as the existing paint and epoxy are failing. The upgrade plan aims to replace the old showers with new stainless-steel inserts. This change is intended to improve hygiene and address complaints from inmates regarding the current conditions. In addition to the shower upgrade, there are plans for more extensive repairs in the future, including HVAC, plumbing, and roofing work. Previous repairs, costing $3.5 million, began in late 2019 and involved updates like painting and replacing elevators. The county has funding through a $15 million bond issued in 2017, and additional borrowing of $21 million was approved in October for various building projects. The board has recommended awarding the shower upgrade contract to SmartComm LLC from Fremont. If the proposal is approved in the committee meeting, it will be finalized in a full board meeting next week.