SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO — The guaranteed maximum price for the planned new men’s prison is about $825 million, South Dakota Department of Corrections (DOC) officials and representatives of two construction groups told state lawmakers Thursday.
Vance McMillan, the vice president of JE Dunn Construction, said the GMP includes a $1,003 cost per square foot for construction. JE Dunn is the construction manager for the planned project.
The DOC presented an update on the planned men’s prison during Thursday’s legislative Joint Committee on Appropriations meeting.
The GMP is higher than the January estimate of more than $706 million from the state’s Bureau of Financial and Management. The projected prison project will be one of the largest projects built in state history.
One lawmaker said only the dams on the Missouri River could be considered a bigger project in state history.
The state has about $505 million in a prison project fund and when interest of about $61 million on that fund is included as well as other money, the state would need to provide about another $224 million to the new men’s prison.
Committee members asked questions about other prison projects.
McMillan said in the case of Nebraska, it’s comparing apples to oranges, because South Dakota is planning for an all maximum bed facility. For example, Nebraska is planning for four inmates per bed while South Dakota is planning for two inmates per bed, McMillan said.
Wasko said the new facility will be geared mainly to medium and maximum security because it will serve as an intake site for all inmates and because the difference between medium and maximum security is how often an inmate can leave the cell for education and other activities.
A medium classified inmate often needs the maximum security cell at night, Wasko said, while being able to leave the cell door open during the day.
McMillan said South Dakota’s cost are in line and comparable to projects in other states such as Alabama, Georgia and Maryland.
