TRAVERSE CITY — County commissioners have approved the creation of two advisory committees to help guide planning for a new campus. The goal is to bring the sheriff’s office, jail, and possibly prosecutors and courts all under one roof.
The new justice facility would focus not only on incarceration, but also treatment services and community partnerships. County administrator Nate Alger said the current jail was built in 1964 and is safe, but outdated and difficult to manage.
The county estimates the project could cost between 50 and 75 million dollars; the funding would come through existing milages, grants, and fees without raising taxes.
“There are components of our jail that you just can’t fix, there are things that are old and antiquated,” said Agler. “All the pipes, sewer lines, all the electrical is old. It is a safe jail, but it needs to be modernized, and it needs to ultimately be replaced.”
Public input will begin once the advisory committees start meeting.
Agler said they hope to begin construction within the next 12 to 18 months.