Oklahoma City, OK — Construction on the next phase of a new Oklahoma County jail is moving closer to reality after county commissioners voted Wednesday to establish a dedicated account for the remaining bond funds needed to advance the long-delayed project.
The facility will be located at 1901 E. Grand Blvd. in southeast Oklahoma City, and visible construction activity is expected in the coming weeks.
“I think that we would see some movement out there within a few weeks,” said Oklahoma County Commissioner Brian Maughan, signaling optimism that the project is finally entering a more active phase.
In 2022, voters approved a $260 million bond to replace the county’s aging and overcrowded jail. While part of that funding has already been allocated for planning and site preparation, about $215 million in bonds still need to be sold. The newly created account will hold these funds until the bond sale is complete, allowing construction to commence.
The next phase of construction includes:
“The bonds have to be completely used, 85 percent in the first three years after issuance, and the remaining 15 percent in the following two years,” Maughan explained, underscoring the structured timeline for bond utilization.
Since the bond’s passage, construction costs have surged due to inflation and supply chain pressures, with current estimates now exceeding $500 million to fully complete the jail.
“We’ll probably be going back out to voters in the spring and asking for additional support,” Maughan said. “But we’re doing everything we can with what we’ve got — and with the time we’ve got to work with, so that we’re not losing anything.”
The county anticipates selling the remaining bonds as early as next week, which could allow construction to start shortly afterward.
A separate behavioral care center, planned next to the new jail, will be funded through federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, providing integrated mental health and substance use care for residents of Oklahoma County. Officials say this complementary facility will address critical public health needs while easing pressure on the jail system.
County leaders have emphasized that the new jail and associated justice campus are designed to meet current and future population needs, improve safety and security for staff and inmates, and modernize facilities that have been operational for decades. The project is also expected to provide a significant economic boost to southeast Oklahoma City through construction jobs and related services.
“This is a major step forward for our community,” Maughan said. “We want to make sure we provide a facility that’s safe, secure, and functional for decades to come, while maximizing the resources we have available.”
Originally reported by Deanne Stein in News 9.
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