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By: Charlotte Smith
The new jail in Bladen County has been the topic of many discussions with local residents. Monday afternoon, local officials held a Ground Breaking Ceremony at the new jail site on Smith Circle in Elizabethtown.
According to Ben Brisson, Field Superintendent with Bordeaux Construction, pouring of the footer will begin on the construction project next week.
Long time resident and former Bladen County Schools Liaison Joe Kelly received a golden shovel from the ceremony. He said, “We really need it and have been needing it.”
Sheriff Jim McVicker said, “The important thing to understand is the previous Sheriff’s like Storms, Bunn and Benson made my work easy with the jail project. I can’t wait to get in it.”
Blair Bordeaux, president of the construction company, said the jail will have 105 cells and will contain 220 beds.
Bladen County Commissioner Jimmie Smith said, “It’s going to be beautiful. They have so many inmates now they are sleeping on the floor. The taxpayers, hopefully, understand this is completely necessary.”
Brisson explained there is room for expansion at the north side of the construction site, but hopefully will not be needed for a long time.
Hubert Kinlaw, Bladen County Corner also received a golden shovel. He said, “We really need the jail. It would be nice if we could build a rehabilitation center as well.”
Brisson estimated the project to be completed in about 16 months. The jail will be made by laying brick blocks, however, the jail cells are going to be made of prefab steel, according to Brisson.
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