Leaking Isabella County Jail roof to be replaced
The project’s $281,600 price tag was upped to $306,000, as additional money is needed to replace the building’s exhaust system, said Lt. Tom Recker, jail administrator.
The jail no longer meets specifications because of leaks created from the construction of a previous building addition. In that addition, the roofing was pulled up from the original building.
“The roof over there is in many stages," said Commissioner George Green. "We’ve revamped it with several new additions."
The project calls for the removal of insulation and ballasted membrane from the roof deck. Current sheet metal will also be removed and new perimeter blocking will be added to match the thickness of insulation.
“We’ve had several leaks in the facility to the point where it’s time to replace the roof, and do it all in one job, and do it all right,” Recker said.
The roof is being replaced for the first time in more than 50 years.
Isabella County commissioners approved the project Tuesday, stating the money will be taken from the county’s $549,000 commissary fund.
“We generate about $120,000 a year in commissary, so we’re feeling that we’ll have enough time to replenish that account, so that we will not spend more than what we have,” Recker said.
A 20-year warranty will be included in the project.
Great Lakes Systems will serve as the construction firm for the replacement project, outbidding six other companies.
The Jenison-based company was chosen after surveying several references who recommended the firm, Recker said.
It has carried out similar construction at jails in Kent and Allegan counties.
“(The references) said they were clean and safety-conscious,” Recker said. “I probably talked to 10 or 11 references, and I did not hear one negative comment about them.”
A beginning and ending construction date has not yet been set.
