Rice Street’s proposed jail design bill: up to $45.5 million

Fulton County commissioners are scheduled Nov. 4 to consider a contract worth up to $45.5 million for planning, design and construction administration of a new 1,800-bed detention facility at the Rice Street jail campus in Atlanta.⁠[1][2]

That price is for professional services—not construction of the approximately 780,000-square-foot building. The proposed award would go to JusticeWorks JV, a team comprising STV, Treanor and Pond & Company. It is an approval request, not a completed award.⁠[1][2]

The county describes the special-purpose facility as a place for vulnerable detainees, including people with medical or behavioral-health needs, older detainees, youthful offenders and people requiring protective custody. It would also consolidate core jail support functions.⁠[2]

Its role extends beyond the new building. The county’s capital-program explanation says moving those functions would create “swing space” needed for future construction and targeted renovations of existing housing and support buildings while the jail campus remains active.⁠[2]

The design team’s work would include architecture, engineering, security, specialty consulting, permitting and procurement support. The proposed initial term is five years from a county notice to proceed, with a two-year renewal option or continuation until completion as determined by the county. That contract term is not an opening date for the facility.⁠[1]

The funding entry leaves another detail unresolved: it says the Department of Finance will establish the funding lines, rather than identifying a specific funding source for this award.⁠[2]

The proposal is listed as item 26-0759 for the commission’s Nov. 4 meeting, scheduled for 10 a.m. in Assembly Hall at the Fulton County Government Center, 141 Pryor Street SW.⁠[1]