The Morgan County Jail Addition moved closer to fruition when the Morgan County Commission adopted a resolution to accept a bid from Lee Builders of Morgan County for the construction.

Lee Builders was low bidder earlier but had come in at almost $1 million over the anticipated cost of the addition. GBW Architects of Decatur, architect for the project, met with Lee looking for ways the cost could be cut without taking away essentials from the project.

The original bid was $9,980,817 and had been reduced to a new total of $9,589,817.

The largest savings came in the type of wall treatment that will be used in the construction. The original bid called for using a higher quality material that is not required in the construction. The lower cost material meets all fire safety ratings and UL requirements. This one change brought the cost down by $365,000.

According to Commission Chairman Ray Long he hopes to have the contracts signed by the end of May and construction to begin soon after that.

The contract calls for construction to be completed in 10 months, however there is extra time built in for weather delays. Once finished the Morgan County Jail will house prisoners for the county, and both Decatur and Hartselle.