Locust Ave. Properties Being Cleared For Putnam Jail Expansion

Demolition has begun in preparation to break ground on the Putnam County Jail expansion.

The county commission purchased six parcels around the Justice Center last year for parking. Sheriff Eddie Farris said the two properties on Locust Avenue are being cleared.

“They started last Friday and they should be finished with the cleanup this Thursday the 21st,” Farris said. “And then the parking lot between Broad Street and Spring Street just east of Maple, that is planned to get started working on the week of November 22nd.”

The two Locust Avenue properties will create some 80 parking spaces. The land at 538 East Spring Street and 613 East Broad Street will provide some 400 parking spaces after work begins in November.

“That would be next on the list to be made a parking lot into,” Farris said. “So that would relieve some pressure as they then begin to move toward our lower lot and begin excavating and construction of the new facility.”

The two other parcels at 127 Locust Avenue and 454 East Hudgens Street will provide about 65 spots, meeting the 500 required for the expansion.

Farris said the final drawings for the expansion are nearing completion. Farris said the sheriff’s department looks to see dirt moved in late December or early January.