Cass County Jail BuildOut Project

On 09-25-23, constructors began work on the Cass County Jail Buildout Project.

Bids awarded for the project total $6,147,206. Funding for this new construction and renovation come from the American Rescue Plan Act.

President Joe Biden signed the $1.9 billion legislation into law in 2021. Its aim was to help people and businesses recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commissioners approved a resolution to fund the project in August.

Presiding Cass County Commissioner Bob Huston says this project helps protect Cass County.

“The Cass County Commission and Sheriff's offices are committed to keeping our community safe. This construction at the sheriff's office is part of that commitment,” Huston said.

“Cass County is a safe and great place to live, work, and raise a family. This addition will help make sure our law enforcement has the tools necessary in the years to come to protect our community,” he added.

After this project, the jail will have six booking desks, adding four to its current total of two. These additions will help make processing inmates more efficient.

Having these operations intact is integral to the jail’s security, considering its average daily population count has grown nearly 100% since opening in 2003. It housed 100 inmates daily then, now that number is up to 194.

The jail’s medical intake will move from the middle of the jail to its west side. This will help prevent the transmission of communicable diseases.

Cass County jail’s sally port will be completely torn down and rebuilt. This will provide more room for the secure transfer of inmates.

The first phase of construction started this week, and three others will follow in the next year.

Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, a local company out of Lenexa, KS, says it expects to employ at least 70 people on this project.

The public shouldn’t see much of a change while the jail is being renovated. Law enforcement agencies might have to make some adjustments, but citizens won’t notice anything except on the exterior.

Cass County’s Jail Buildout Project is expected to be completed in the Fall of 2024.