Construction Begins on New Nebraska State Prison

News Summary

Construction has started on Nebraska’s new state prison, which will replace the outdated Nebraska State Penitentiary. The facility will hold 1,512 beds and enhance rehabilitation opportunities. Hausmann Construction was awarded a $312.2 million contract, and the project is expected to be completed by mid-August 2028. Funded by a $350 million legislative appropriation, the new facility aims to improve safety for inmates and staff while addressing modern correctional needs.

Lincoln, Nebraska – Construction has officially begun on Nebraska’s new state prison, a significant project that is set to replace the outdated Nebraska State Penitentiary. The new facility will accommodate 1,512 beds and aims to enhance safety and rehabilitation opportunities for inmates. Initial construction activities commenced last week, with site preparations including clearing weeds and grass, marking the beginning of a transformative chapter for the state’s correctional system.

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services awarded Hausmann Construction a contract worth $312,259,000 for the project on July 24. The company was selected after submitting the lowest bid of $313.3 million, which was competitive compared to other proposals that included a joint venture between Sampson Construction and Caddell Construction at $344.3 million, and Clark Construction in collaboration with MCL Construction at $341 million.

Situated north of Interstate 80, adjacent to North 70th Street in Lincoln, the new prison is being funded through a $350 million appropriation from the Nebraska Legislature. This funding comes with assurances that the project will stay within budget constraints as it progresses. Adjustments to the project’s design and construction practices are also in place to ensure efficiency and accountability.

Hausmann Construction has 1,110 days to achieve substantial completion of the facility, which targets a projected finish around mid-August 2028. To facilitate the construction process, a meeting between Hausmann and state officials is scheduled for Friday to outline pre-construction details.

The development of the new correctional facility is anticipated to provide not only a higher capacity with increased bed space but also enhanced room for inmate programs and upgraded safety features for both inmates and staff. Nebraska’s Correctional Services director noted that the bids received for this construction project were significantly lower than those recorded in other states, hinting at effective budget management and planning.

Currently, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services has already invested $33.8 million in the project, covering expenses related to land acquisition and design work conducted by Omaha-based DLR Group. The department has committed to continually assess project efficiencies as the construction process unfolds.

Despite the progress surrounding the prison construction, it is worth noting that Hausmann Construction is concurrently engaged in a legal dispute concerning the Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center project in Iowa. The lawsuit alleges issues of non-payment that have reportedly impacted the contractor’s reputation among stakeholders involved in that project.

As construction efforts ramp up in Lincoln, the new prison is set to mark an important evolution in Nebraska’s approach to its correctional facilities, highlighting a commitment to addressing modern penitentiary needs while promoting safety and rehabilitation.

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Additional Resources

• Nebraska Examiner: Hausmann Construction Chosen for New Prison
• KLKN TV: Nebraska Accepts $313 Million Bid for New Prison
• Journal Star: New Nebraska Prison Update
• Wikipedia: Prison Reform in the United States
• Google Search: Nebraska Prison Construction