Plans for a new jail in Vigo County are moving forward even though officials haven't yet decided how they'll pay for it.
At a public meeting Tuesday, architects discussed the latest budget and design plans for the new facility. It will have space for 534 beds and an expanded medical unit.
The jail will be located in the Vigo County Industrial Park.
Garmong Construction performed three cost models to predict the total cost of the jail - one for square footage, one for bed count, and a detailed cost analysis.
After averaging the three totals, they expect the final cost of the facility to be about 67 million dollars.
The current jail is overcrowded, and the county is facing a number of lawsuits related to the condition of the jail. Vigo County Council Member Bill Thomas says the county has no other choice than to move forward with plans to build a new facility.
"We're going to have to have a different discussion on the best way to try and fund this because as a council, we understand this has to be done," says Council Member Bill Thomas.
Thomas and other members of the Vigo County Council will ultimately determine how to pay for the construction.
The design is still in its early stages, but once the project breaks ground, it will take about two and a half years to complete.