Jail health care facility nears completion

By SUZETTE PORTER
Wednesday, June 27, 2007

PINELLAS COUNTY – Thanks to the approval of a contract amendment,
officials anticipate that transfers of inmates to the Pinellas County
Jail Health Care facility could begin as early as Aug. 5.

The Board of County Commissioners on June 19 approved an amendment to
allow L. Robert Kimball and Associates to finish its inspection work
of the 49th Street facility with an extension of its $50,000 limit.

The total cost of the project is about $1.77 million, paid for by
Penny for Pinellas funds and the sale of the former Jumbo Sports
building.

The health care facility will include infirmary beds, a clinic,
dental, mental health and pharmacy areas for both male and female
populations and support functions.

The BCC also approved a change order to the contract with Creative
Contractors to provide for installation of underground utilities,
modifications to the fire protection system and other work.

Creative Contractors was hired to renovate part of the existing north
jail kitchen facility to increase capacity and construction
additional inmate dining room. The cost of the project is $2.22
million, paid for by Penny for Pinellas.