MUNCIE - The Delaware County Commissioners voted unanimously on Monday to pass a $45 million bid for the construction of a new 500-bed county jail at the former Wilson Middle School.
The project was awarded to an Indianapolis-area firm BW Development, which was the only firm to respond to the county’s request for proposal.
The firm put together a partnership to design and build the jail.
According to the BW Development jail proposal, the group has formed a corporation, Delaware County Justice Partners LLC, including legal counsel Ice Miller, BW Development, Mesirow Financial and designer RQAW.
Members of the partnership have worked on the Hancock County and Hamilton County jails, as well as jails in Posey and Greene counties.
Turnout to Monday's public hearing was overwhelmingly negative toward the project, according to County Commissioner Sherry Riggin.
Originally, Riggin voted against the measure because of an accelerated time table on public meetings.