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Genesee County Jail

Closing in on 'end user' satisfaction for Genesee County Jail, offices set to move

By Joanne Beck
Assistant Engineer Laura Wadhams
Genesee County Assistant Engineer Laura Wadhams shows off the new county jail during Monday's Public Service Committee meeting. 
Photo by Joanne Beck

As one of the leads on Genesee County’s new jail on Route 5, assistant engineer Laura Wadhams is understandably happy to see the $70 million facility finally round the corner to completion with a colorful array of inmate pods ready and waiting for beds and other furnishings to be installed next week.

“Today seems kind of fitting because as of March 15, the building was finally complete and is actually ours now. So, as of today, the jail transitions team is staffing the building 24/7 for security. They’ll be there from here until they open and move the inmates,” Wadhams said Monday during the county’s Public Service Committee meeting. “We are going to be turning over the keys to the jail staff, a little quick ceremony … the furniture is actually starting to be delivered on March 25, so it will be all of the commercial furniture for the jail admin, Genesee Justice, all the training rooms, things like that. And we’re working on planning for a dedication ceremony complete for sometime in May too, and officially open the building to the public.”

Senior Project Manager Carl York, who has typically given jail updates, has already moved on to another project, she said. She showed pictures of the new jail, including “the nice clean pods,” which are inmate cells in various colors of green, yellow, and purple for the women’s block, which “got the most separations,” Wadhams said. 

She said each block will be self-contained, with food brought to the inmates and each group having access to an outdoor area. Legislator John Deleo remarked how swiftly the facility has progressed to this endpoint.

“You’ve done an outstanding job,” he said. 

Staff from Genesee Justice will be moved out of the current jail at 14 W. Main St. to the new jail in April, and inmates will eventually move into their new housing by summertime, Wadhams said. The Public Defender’s staff will move to the old jail during renovations of the Engine House and will then move back once those are finished. 

Landscaping will be completed once the weather cooperates with warmer temperatures, she said.

“You can really see how far this building has come in the past two years. It's pretty amazing. So it's looking a little bit greener out there,” she said. "Now I’m excited to see how that comes through this spring. We’ve got some paving to do, clean up around the outside, landscaping, get rid of that big topsoil stockpile on the back, but it's looking great out there.”

The jail staff is working out a final plan to move inmates over to the new jail this summer, and there will be “quite a bit of training that our COs have to do for this style of jail compared to the jail that they have now,” Wadhams said. 

“So rotating COs through to do training while they’re still operating the jail at 14 W. Main is going to take some time,” she said.

County Manager Matt Landers reviewed a related change order for $59,725 for construction costs to install the backup 911 center in the planned shell space at the new jail. This amount is to be paid out of the new jail capital project budget and not an added expense, Landers said. 

The committee approved it, and a resolution will go onto the Ways & Means and then the full Legislature for a vote during the next two weeks.

Wadhams has worked as a civil, staff, and transportation engineer and transportation construction inspector for the New York State Department of Transportation. The new county jail was her largest county project since being hired as assistant engineer in September 2018, she said. 

She explained it sort of as a doll’s house you could see from an aerial view. 

“So when we talk about furniture, fixtures and equipment that's yet to come in, if you take the top off the building, turn it upside down, shake it, anything that would fall out would be considered furniture, fixtures and equipment. So think of desks and chairs, computers, TVs, things like that would also have to go into the building. So right now, it's a very nice, clean, empty shell for us to move into,” she said.

What will be going into the old jail and Genesee Justice building?

“It’s still all up in the air right now. I mean, it's a great central location for the county. So what ends up going in there is still to be determined. And there's gonna have to be some renovations done in order for anybody to use the space. So that's an intermediate while they work on the Engine House. So that's why Genesee Justice had to move. It's a very domino effect,” she’s said. “Right now, I'm glad we have it for the public defenders to move over. because it's still super central for what they need to do while the Engine House is being renovated, hopefully this summer.”

What’s your favorite part of such a project? Is it the beginning, ribbon-cutting, or some point in between?

“That’s a good question; I've never been asked that question before. I mean, for me, it's the end user, it's kind of certainly the ribbon cutting, that's great. You know, it's great for everybody to see it, step back and really look at it, take it all in,” she said. “But for me, it's seeing the end user, seeing Genesee Justice in their new space and jail admin in the new space, seeing, you know, our corrections staff is excited about working in a safe and bright and open space that they're going to be in, all the new technology that's going to be in this building that'll make that a lot safer for our corrections staff, plus the incarcerated individuals, it's going to be huge. So really excited to see that all come to happen.”

New Genesee County Jail inches closer to completion, still on course for March 15 deadline

By Joanne Beck
new jail feb 2024
Photo by Howard Owens

Hard to believe, but nearly two years have passed since the groundbreaking for the new Genesee County Jail, and officials are now talking about its completion being on time for this spring.

"I took a tour of the jail. Things look really good," Legislator Gary Maha said during this week's Public Service meeting.

Beyond aesthetics, crews have been on site ensuring that safety, infrastructure and technology have also been properly put in place since construction began in May 2022 after several years of the county's initial planning and saving for the $70 million, 184-bed facility. 

Regular updates by The Pike Company Senior Project Manager Carl York have kept legislators apprised about change orders, on-site tasks, weather issues, supply chain delays, worker injuries (there have been few), and the expected timeline with each passing month.

About 100 oversized cement pods made news in January 2023 as they were slowly hauled down Route 5 to the site of the new jail at 3839 West Main Street Road, Batavia. A ceremonial beam signing took place in July 2023 as work crews continued to put the pieces together for what York has continuously labeled a financially on-target and on-schedule project.

True, there have been supply chain issues and change orders throughout the construction process, but all the while York said spending was on budget. At one point, the timeline lost seven days due to rain, but the project remained on course, he said, and that still holds true for a March 15 deadline.

Legislature Chairwoman Shelley Stein asked if there would be tours available for remaining legislators, and Deputy Highway Superintendent Paul Osborn said most likely by April. The prison is expected to be up and running in June or July.

Genesee County Sheriff's Office Jail Bureau graduates corrections officers

By Press Release
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Photo of Deputy Jail Superintendent Jeffrey J. Searls, Jail Superintendent William A. Zipfel, C.O. Ian A. Sanfratello, C.O. Aaron M. Spring, C.O. William H. Steavens, Undersheriff Bradley D. Mazur
Submitted photo.

Press Release:

Genesee County Sheriff William A. Sheron Jr. announces the graduation of Correction Officers Ian A. Sanfratello, Aaron M. Spring, and William H. Steavens today from the Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy’s 27th Basic Course for Correction Officers.

At the top of the class was C.O. Sanfratello who received the Academic Excellence and Joseph E. Steblein Memorial awards. Joseph E. Steblein was the first director of the Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy. This memorial award is presented to the individual who demonstrates overall excellence in all areas of training and is selected by the instructors of the academy.

The 247-hour course included training in effective communications, essential services, use of force, NYS Penal Law, Criminal Procedure Law, Inmate Transportation, Firearms, Pepper Spray, Taser and Defensive Tactics, and other topics pertaining to corrections. 

“Congratulations to all three of these Correction Officers. We look forward to your future in Corrections at the Genesee County Jail,” stated Sheriff William A. Sheron, Jr.

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Photo of Correction Officer Ian A. Sanfratello and his father, Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello
Submitted photo.

GC Jail phone back in service

By Press Release

Press Release:


Last week’s phone issues at the Genesee County Jail have been resolved.  The main phone number (585-343-0838) is now operational.  Thank you for your patience.

 

Genesee County jail phone system being worked on, IT director says

By Joanne Beck

Given the frequency of phone issues at Genesee County Jail recently, The Batavian contacted the county to find out what was going on, and if other county offices were experiencing similar phone connection problems.

Michael Burns, director of Information Technology for the county IT Department, said that the current problem is that the jail’s main phone number is not rolling over to other available internal phone extensions when more than one call is received. 

“Single calls are connecting as expected. The vendors who supply phone services to the jail are working on this issue,” Burns said Friday afternoon. “This current issue is not related to the previous recent problems that the Jail experienced. This current issue is isolated to the Jail and does not affect other county phones.”

There have been a number of times that the public has been advised to call an alternate number due to the main number at the county Jail being out of service, including Friday.

If you dial the main phone number, 585-343-0838, and it is busy or you cannot get through, call 585-343-0839 or 585-343-0840.  

Phone issues again at Genesee County Jail

By Press Release

Press Release:

The Genesee County Jail is currently experiencing phone issues.  If you dial the main phone number, 585-343-0838, and it is busy or you cannot get through, please call 585-343-0839 or 585-343-0840.  

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.  

Main number down for Genesee County Jail

By Joanne Beck

The main phone number to the Genesee County Jail (585-343-0838) is experiencing issues, with an estimated resolution for some time on Wednesday, October 4.

Please dial 585-343-0839 in the interim.

 

Genesee County Jail number out of service

By Joanne Beck

Press Release:

The main number to the Genesee County Jail  -- 585-343-0838 -- is temporarily out of service. Please dial 585-343-0839.

County officials get construction update at new jail after final steel beam ceremonial signing

By Howard B. Owens
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Sheriff Bill Sheron signs what will be the final steel beam put in place at the new Genesee County Jail on West Main Street Road, Batavia.
Photo by Howard Owens.

After a tour of the new Genesee County Jail, under construction off of West Main Street Road in Batavia, County Legislature Chairwoman Shelley Stein said she likes what she sees so far in the new jail.

"It's incredible how all of the trades have worked so well together,' Stein said. "Pike, our construction management group, said we were going to be really happy with them. We are really happy with them. They have kept this project tight on budget. We have hardly tapped our contingency fund, not even one percent yet. So we're just amazed at the progress that we see."

The $70 million, 184-bed facility will be able to house both male and female inmates, provide space for mental health services, space for arraignments, along with the usual accommodations of a jail -- a place for inmates to exercise, take in recreational activities, eat, and meet with visitors.

The modern facility will also mean increased safety for county staff working at the jail.

Everything Stein saw on Monday, she said, aligns with her expectations, which developed with elected leaders visited other new jails in other counties to see what they had done.

"Visiting the jails that we visited, this lines up with exactly what we said that we wanted from what we saw," Stein said. "We have to make sure that our staff that interacts with our inmates remain healthy, well cared for and respected along with those inmates that we are tasked with housing at the same time. So this is all about human respect and dignity."

Stein spoke with The Batavian after a brief signing ceremony -- Stein, Sheriff Bill Sheron, Jail Superintendent Bill Zipfel, along with other county officials and construction company heads, signed a steel beam that will be the final steel beam installed in the new jail.

"I know that it is being built right," Stein said. "It's being built one time, and it'll be here for a long time. Public safety is something that we all prize, and this will be a key cornerstone of the community's public safety for a long time. I hope for a good century"

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Jail Superintendent Bill Zipfel signs what will be the final steel beam put in place at the new Genesee County Jail on West Main Street Road, Batavia.
Photo by Howard Owens.
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County Officials and contractors with the signed steal beam.
Photo by Howard Owens.
jail beam signing
Outside the front entrance of the new jail.
Photo by Howard Owens.
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Assistant County Engineer Laura Wadhams in one of the cell blocks, leading a tour of the new jail.
Photo by Howard Owens.
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Inside the entrance of the new jail.
Photo by Howard Owens.
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Processing area inside the new jail.
Photo by Howard Owens.
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One of the cells.
Photo by Howard Owens.
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Inside one of the cell blocks.
Photo by Howard Owens.
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The visitors' area, which can accommodate up to 20 inmates at a time for visits with outside guests.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Pilot program being tested for upcoming correction officer civil service exam

By Press Release
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File photo from January of new Genesee County Jail construction.
Photo by Howard Owens

Press Release:

Genesee County is participating in a new pilot program for the upcoming correction officer civil service exam. A new pilot program is being tested by New York State’s civil service is an online examination questionnaire that asks questions about an applicant’s education, training, and work experience instead of the usual multiple-choice written exam. 

The new exam will be used to establish a list of candidates to fill future Correction Officer vacancies once the current eligibility list is either exhausted or expired in one year (2024). Submit an examination application to Human Resources on or before 5 p.m., May 12. Approved applicants will be sent a notice containing directions to a website address to complete the Training and Experience Questionnaire. The questionnaire must be completed between June 1 and June 30. The answers from the questionnaire will be used to rate and score your test against the general requirements of the position, which will be based on training and experience gained before the filing deadline of May 12.

Minimum qualifications of Correction Officers include graduation from high school or possession of an equivalency diploma. Applicants may file for this exam if they expect to complete the educational requirement by June 30. Proof of educational requirements must be submitted no later than two months after completion. Candidate must be at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment, not the time of application to take the exam.

“Currently, there are four full-time Correction Officer vacancies that we are looking to fill and six additional positions being added (three effective July 1, and three effective October 1),” stated Sheriff William A. Sheron, Jr. “Now is the time to begin a rewarding career in law enforcement. In order to be considered for the positions, applicants must take the civil service exam. Even if you took the previous civil service exam, you will want to apply to take the new exam.”

GC Sheriff's Office Jail graduates four from basic corrections academy

By Press Release
GCSO graduate
From left to right:  Correction Officers Zachary J. Tacy, Wyatt J. Sando, Christopher A. Bauer-Smith, Katherine M. Stearns and Jail Superintendent William A. Zipfel

Press Release:

Genesee County Sheriff William A. Sheron Jr. announces the graduation of Correction Officers Zachary J. Tacy, Wyatt J. Sando, Christopher A. Bauer-Smith, and Katherine M. Stearns. At the top of the class were C.O. Tacy for academics and C.O. Sando for Top Gun. 

These Correction Officers recently graduated on April 27, 2023, from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Officer/Peace Officer Academy. The 247-hour course included training in effective communications, essential services, use of force, NYS Penal Law, Criminal Procedure Law, Inmate Transportation, Firearms, Pepper Spray, Taser and Defensive Tactics, and other topics pertaining to corrections. 

“Congratulations to Correction Officers Tacy, Sando, Bauer-Smith and Stearns. We look forward to your future in Corrections at the Genesee County Jail,” stated Sheriff William A. Sheron Jr.

Submitted photo.

Corrections Officer Ridder retires after 22 years of service

By Press Release

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Press release:

Correction Officer Anthony J. Ridder retired after 22 years of service to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office effective March 5. 

He worked his last shift, A-line, on Sunday, Feb.y 26.

A veteran of the United States Army, C.O. Ridder started his career on March 3, 2001, at the Genesee County Jail.  During his tenure, he earned a Meritorious Award and was known for his dedication, loyalty and professionalism.   

“Everyone here at the Sheriff’s Office wishes Tony the very best in his future,” stated Sheriff Sheron.

Submitted photos.

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Slow travels make for steady progress with new county jail

By Joanne Beck

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The first of about 100 oversized construction material loads slowly made its way down Main Street Wednesday en route to the new Genesee County jail being built at 3839 West Main Street Road, and city motorists are asked to take note and give future loads a wide berth.

The special delivery package was a concrete cell that traveled down Route 63 to Route 5, and is to be followed by about 99 more in a series of staggered deliveries during the next two months, county officials say. Motorists are asked to “keep an eye out” for escort vehicles since the deliveries are oversized loads requiring adequate space for travel and turns to reach their destination.

“They should not be crowded for the safety of all travelers,” Public Communications Specialist Steven Falitico said Wednesday.

The new jail — a 184-bed, $70 million facility — has been in progress since the groundbreaking in May of last year on property adjacent to County Building #2 and Genesee County Animal Shelter. Deliveries of pre-fabricated jail cells are “one big step in the construction process,” County Manager Matt Landers said.

“There is still a long way to go, but overall, I am happy that the construction is progressing on schedule and coming in under budget,” he said.

The first major change order — an expense not to exceed $80,000 for stainless steel flashing glued around the perimeter of precast pods as extra insulation — also came up for a vote of approval Wednesday by the county Legislature. The Ways and Means Committee had previously reviewed the request and passed it on to the whole Legislature for final vote.

The project has been on track for a March 2024 completion, led by The Pike Company’s project management.

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Top Photo: A jail cell on a flatbed truck slowly travels along Route 5 on its way to the new county jail being built on West Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia; photos of construction progress of the jail on property next to County Building #2 and the animal shelter. Photos by Howard Owens.

Additional insulation needed for new GC jail adds $80K to price tag

By Joanne Beck

jailconstructionmay112022.jpeg

As it can go with large construction projects, the new county jail’s price tag is to ring in the new year with ka-ching and an estimated $80,000 of additional work needed for exterior insulation.

Genesee County Highway Superintendent and senior Engineer Tim Hens outlined the problem during Wednesday’s Ways and Means meeting. A six-inch gap at the top of a foundational area was discovered by architects and engineers that, as it stands, would not meet code, he said.

“It’s a very difficult construction detail,” he said. “Cold air would not be coming in, but the concrete would conduct the cold. Two to three feet of that floor would feel really frozen.”

The suggested remedy is to glue stainless steel flashing all the way around four precast pods.

“That does solve the problem. If they can do it before the precast units are installed, it’s easier,” Hens said. “The quicker we can get the go-ahead, the cheaper it will be for us.”

Assistant Engineer Laura Wadhams added that there will be people “out in the field” to ensure that the work is done in as timely and financially efficient way possible and that it may be less than the $80,000 capped estimate.

With the backing of her committee, Genesee County Legislature Chairwoman Rochelle Stein authorized a time and material change order with a cost not to exceed $80,000.00 for LeChase Construction, for costs related to additional insulation installation and protective flashing around the base of all pod areas for the new Genesee County Jail.

The total amount of the final change order will be determined in the field, with documented time and receipts for materials. The cost of the change order is not to exceed $80,000, per the resolution.

To follow progress on the jail project, go to the county's Jail Updates page. 

2022 File Photo of the early stages of the $70 million Genesee County Jail project on Route 5 in the Town of Batavia, by Howard Owens.

Sheriff asks to expand the pool of candidates with nearby counties

By Joanne Beck

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Corrections officers are badly needed for Genesee County Jail, and it’s time to expand the search, Sheriff William Sheron says.

Now that a new jail is under construction, there are to be male and female inmates, which creates a need for more, and more diverse, officers, Sheron said during Wednesday’s Ways & Means meeting.

“We’re looking for candidates for corrections officers, especially females,” he said.

He asked legislators for approval of an amendment to allow officers to be from contiguous counties as well as from the desired first choice of Genesee. Less than 40 people took the last Civil Service test, compared to 80 previously. The pool of candidates is growing "leaner and leaner," he said.

Sheron hopes that by enlarging the pool to include other counties, there will be more candidates to choose from.

Several years after initial planning, saving and getting documentation in place for a new Genesee County Jail, the first shovels struck the ground in May for the $70 million, 184-bed facility on West Main Street Road, adjacent to County Building #2. It’s on track for a March 2024 completion.

Once the jail is completed, there are to be male and female inmates, and therefore female officers would be required for the facility. Legislative Chairwoman Shelley Stein remarked that it’s “going to be a beautiful facility” to work in, to which Sheron replied “night and day.”

A public hearing must take place before the proposed amendment — to expand the residency territorial area to employ corrections officers — is officially adopted. The committee agreed to set that for 5:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Genesee County Old Courthouse, 7 Main St., Batavia.

The resolution states that “The County of Genesee Legislature hereby finds that in order to ensure an adequate pool of qualified applicants as Correction Officer, it is necessary and advisable that such Correction Officer may be permitted to reside within the County of Genesee or any county contiguous to the County of Genesee: namely, Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Livingston, or Wyoming Counties.”

As it stands now, state public officers law requires a person to be a resident of the political subdivision or municipal corporation of the state for which such person is chosen or within such person’s official functions. That law can only be revised by an act of the Legislature.

For anyone interested in taking the related test, the next one is on Dec. 10.

For more information, go to Genesee County

File Photo of Sheriff William Sheron being sworn in as first new sheriff in nearly 30 years. Photo by Howard Owens.

County jail update: Injured worker back on the job; plumbers, electricians on site next week

By Mike Pettinella

A worker injured at the construction site of the new Genesee County Jail is back on the job, the senior project manager for the facility management firm said on Monday.

Carl York of The Pike Company of Rochester updated the Genesee County Legislature’s Public Service Committee on the progress of the $70 million, 184-bed jail that's going up next to County Building 2 on West Main Street Road.

He said the worker was stationed inside the excavating shield, directing a co-worker on top who was operating the heavy equipment.

“He was directing the bucket back toward himself and he ran out of room and got caught between,” York said. “The worker was transported to the hospital and today he returned back to work. So, he was out for about a week and a half. But he is back to work.”

That’s good news for the employee, but not so fortunate for the site contractor, Bayside Paving Contractors, Inc. of Shortsville, York added.

“OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) did come out to investigate and they found nothing wrong with the safety or the way they were working,” York said. “They have not finalized their findings yet. But more than likely the contractor will probably get fined because they did not report the accident to OSHA within 24 hours which is required of a hospitalization.

“But that was really the only issue they had with over what happened. They said it was just a flat-out accident.”

Construction is ahead of schedule by about six weeks on the foundation work, York reported, adding that there have been no issues with stormwater pollution and no changes to the total project cost.

York said workers have met one of the first (and many) milestones by completing the building pad prep work three days ahead of the July 26 target date.

“Underground utilities -- our sanitary is about 90 percent complete, stormwater is about 40 percent complete and the water and fire service is about 70 percent complete,” he said.

He said media coverage over the fact that Pike was waiting for National Grid to supply permanent power to the site was a “real good boost … as we did get some good updates from National Grid.”

Foundational work on the administration building and the cell pods is moving along, he added, with expectations that all of that work will be complete by the first week of September.

“Right now, we're waiting for the mechanical – the plumbing and electrical contractors to start on August 15. It was just they couldn't get their deliveries moved up as fast as (general contractor) LeChase (Construction Services of Rochester) was moving along with foundations.”

York said his firm is exploring the addition of a booster pump for future growth, mentioning that a decision will be made on that after speaking with County Manager Matt Landers and his team this week.

Representatives of the state Commission of Correction visited the site last week and “were very pleased” with the progress, he said. Crews are in the third month of a 20-month construction schedule.

Previously: Safety, communication and a little rain for new Genesee County Jail project

Safety, communication and a little rain for new Genesee County Jail project

By Joanne Beck

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Sometimes no action can be a good thing, especially when it comes to construction sites.

Project Executive Mark Bollin, of The Pike Company, shared that during his Genesee County Jail progress report to the county’s Public Service Committee this week.

“As it relates to safety, there have been no lost-time accidents at all. And all the contractors continue to abide by the OSHA requirements and their own safety plans, contracts, bonds and insurances,” he said. “All prime contracts have been fully executed, the contract for the special inspections and testing has been finalized and executed. With the stormwater prevention plan, there's been no issues.”

Those housekeeping details have helped to ensure a good flow of communication, he said.

“Communication is going really well, with the county, engineers and contractors.”

Foundation work has included stockpiling and stabilizing topsoil, creating an infiltration test pond, underground utilities and fire and water infrastructure is a little over half complete, at 55 percent, he said.

Senior Project Manager Carl York said that backfills were to begin this week, and all contractors are working on a three-dimensional model of the building to make sure everything fits according to plan.

In addition to the actual physical work, however, there has been that critical element of open communication and cooperation, York said.

“Ever since we started the job, and quite intensely the last month, all the contractors have been working on the final baseline schedule. The general contractor has been meeting with each of the contractors to get their information, and we've had separate meetings where everybody's together and everybody goes through the schedule and agrees on the logic in there. That same schedule has been sent to Pike scheduling department for review and comment and is now finally been finalized,” York said. “This is going extremely well. The meetings are very well attended, it’s very positive. We’re getting a lot done. It’s a very positive process right now.”

Rainy weather — though needed for brown lawns and thirsty crops — caused contractors to lose three and a half days of work. It’s “nothing out of the ordinary,” Bollin said.

Construction trailers are all in place, and remaining contractors are to bring in their trailers over the next couple of months, usually around August, York said. National Grid has yet to provide its design for getting power out to the site, he said.

“It's still in design and up in Albany, so we're still facing that. National Fuel did come out and walk the site. But they have not provided us anything for their design yet for the gas coming over to the proper foundation,” he said.  “All of the contractors and the design team are all working on the 3D model of the building, looking for clash infections and making sure that everything's going to fit. We're about a third of the way through that whole process.”

“If we didn't include that in the original bids, we didn't know what we're going to be encountering. Once we saw what the site was going to be like this was the best thing to do to create a stable work area so that the site's not muddy and progress would not be delayed by rain like this,” he said.

County Legislator Shelley Stein asked him what the greatest challenge has been. With little pause, he said “material availabilities.” Obtaining necessary materials has been difficult, and at times “we can’t even get sample kits,” he said.

“I’m most concerned about the National Grid and getting power to the site. Our switchgear getting here, and then the rooftop, those are our biggest worries. I mean right now that we've got time budgeted in the schedule for this, but if they start slipping, then those are all critical items that will directly impact the schedule.”

The new jail, adjacent to County Building 2 and Genesee County Animal Shelter on Route 5 in Batavia, is still on track for a March 2024 completion, Bollin said.

Photo: Mark Bollin, left, and Carl York discuss the progress of Genesee County Jail during the Public Services meeting this week. Photo by Joanne Beck.

A few glitches aside, new county jail on track for March 2024

By Joanne Beck

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A bit too much water and dirt made for muddy waters at the construction site of the new county jail.

At least temporarily.

In his report to the Public Service Committee Monday, Project Executive Mark Bollin reviewed how weather and ground materials worked their way into construction plans.

“Temporary lay down area has been established. Site earthwork cuts and fills is about 95 percent complete. We've done about two inches of stone right now, because if we don't put the two inches of stone down there right now (there can be drainage issues) when it rains," Bollin said at the Old Courthouse. "The contractor is going to be shut down for a day until it dries up … but thankfully this site dries up pretty quickly."

The weather — a recent good steady rain — shut down work for about a day and a half, he said. Underground utilities will be installed beginning this week, and contractor construction trailers are on site ready for utility hookups, he said.

Under the category of “change management,” he listed five cost items that were discovered during this initial phase, including an existing septic tank and leach field from when Genesee Community College was located there. Another item was the removal and replacement of “unsuitable soils,” he said.

County legislators wanted more details about those unsuitable soils.

“A layer of topsoil was discovered under a layer of the fill. The geotechnical engineer was brought to the site to review the existing site conditions and directed that the topsoil be removed from the field, or for allowance to remove or replace 500 cubic yards of unsuitable soil. This material was included in work package number one,” Bollin said. “The soil is not suitable to build the building; it doesn't have the bearing capacity to support the building.

"So I believe what happened here, at some point, somebody put fill over the top of topsoil and then another layer of topsoil somehow got on top of that. So when the contractor … cut the site down to grade, they dug down about eight inches or so and they found another layer of topsoil. We're calculating that to be about 100 yards of material.”

That scenario was built into one of the estimated scopes of work, he said, which is “the reason why we had that allowance to cover such things.”

The project cost is still currently $57,272,000, he said, however, three revisions to the project have been issued and are out for pricing with the contractors.

More fencing has been put up to redirect traffic and separate the project from the adjacent county’s Animal Shelter and Building 2. As far as safety goes, there have been no lost time accidents to date, he said, and safety plans have been submitted and approved by The Pike Company, except for one.

Despite the glitches with rain and topsoil, foundation work is scheduled to begin the week of June 27, which is two weeks early according to Pike’s Guideline Construction Schedule, Bollin said.

A bulk of the project is on track for a January 2024 completion, with a final completion of the new Genesee County Jail set for March 2024, he said.

2022 File Photo of construction for the new county jail on Route 5, Batavia, next to County Building 2 and Genesee County Animal Shelter. Photo by Howard Owens.

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