By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

The design process on the Ellis County Courthouse and Law Enforcement Center project continues to move forward with construction expected to begin later this year.

Architect Andrew Pitts from Treanor Architects met with county employees at Tuesday’s special county commission meeting they have closed an estimated gap within about $290,000 of the $8.5 million budget.

Earlier this year, the estimated shortfall was more than $700,000.

“The good news is we are coming down on our cost estimate,” said Pitts, adding there is work left to be done.

Pitts called the jail the No. 1 priority and said it is driving the cost of the project. The current estimate has the jail costing approximately $5.86 million. And outside of making the facility smaller, Pitts said the price is pretty much set.

If the project continues on its current track, Pitts estimated the project could go out to bid in the first half of August, with construction on the jail beginning later that month.

Construction on the courthouse and law enforcement center would begin some time after the new year.

The next step in the process will be to find a location to house temporary office space while construction is underway.

The county first relocate the sheriff’s department and, once the 718 Main administrative building remodel project is complete, staff will begin moving into their permanent office space there.

After signing the construction contract with Paul-Wertenberger on Monday, the contractor has 180 days to complete the project, said Ellis County Administrator Greg Sund, or around the beginning of 2015.

According to Pitts, within the next 60 to 90 days, the county will have a plan in place so they can begin moving.

They have looked at a number of locations around Hays as a temporary building space. Pitts presented a plan for the former PATH Lab on 13th Street at Tuesday’s special meeting and said, with some upgrades, it has the potential to fill the county’s need.

They have also looked at the former Kennedy Middle School, although the school is no longer an option. They have toured Hadley Center and considered it a possibility, as well.

Sund said the two possible locations will be discussed at the next commission meeting, scheduled for Monday.