HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Work is progressing on the new Reno County Jail being built on the southeast side of the city. The new jail site is at 1800 S. Severance, on the corner of Severance and Blanchard.

They are now beginning the process of adding the precast jail cells that were actually built up in Topeka and brought to Hutchinson on trailers. That being done has caused Severance to be closed between Blanchard and near the Hutchinson Animal Shelter. The trucks with the cells are sitting along Severance.

The building of the jail is the result of county voters approving a half cent sales tax. They will not only finance the building of the new jail, but will also be used to move some county offices from the Reno County Courthouse to what is currently the Reno County Jail Annex.

Other plans for the money raised include adding a new secure entrance to the courthouse and doing some improvements to the Law Enforcement Center.

The new 77,000 plus square foot jail is being built on land purchased from the Kansas Department of Corrections on a 10 acre lot.