The Reno County Jail Study Committee met again Tuesday evening and the topic of discussion were the options for a proposal for expansion and or renovation of the Law Enforcement Center being included in the bond issue.

A proposal in which space in the existing jail would be converted for evidence storage; a portion of the jail outside cell areas, approximately 3800 square feet, would be converted for police and sheriff offices and the former auditorium, approximately 1500 square feet now used for evidence storage, would be converted for offices or related facilities.

It was agreed that the architect will be asked for additional input on this possibility along with better cost estimates.

They say converting existing law center space and renovation appears to have the advantage of costing less, yet still providing needed additional space compared with the estimated 1.7 million for building a 5-thousand square foot LEC addition, plus renovation.

The study committee also toured the courthouse and law center to look at options presented by the architect for adding an elevator and safer transportation of prisoners between jail holding cells and courts. It was agreed that the architect will be asked for additional input and refined cost estimates.

Uses for the current jail annex should a new jail is built was also discussed. Options discussed included the sale of the building, converting it for other county uses, donating it for community projects such as a New Beginnings or Salvation Army homeless shelter, exploring state use for a Dept. of Corrections geriatric unit just to name a few.

The next architect’s workshop on the jail proposal has been moved from March 29, and 30, to April 2, and 3.