Construction began last summer on a new Saginaw County Jail which is scheduled to open in February or March of 2020.

Controller Robert Belleman who spoke to WSGW’s Art Lewis says costs have increased slightly from $35,000,000 to  $37,000,000. Belleman cited the need for larger pilings to compensate for the excessive sawdust left over from an old sawmill that used to be on the west side Saginaw site.

He and Sheriff William Federspiel both say the new jail design will enhance safety for staff and inmates which in turn means less liability costs.