(Getty Images)
The Arkansas Board of Corrections on Friday voted to initiate a contract with a California-based construction management company to oversee the development of a new prison of up to 3,000 beds.
Vanir Construction Management was one of three applications submitted to the Department of Corrections for the “owner’s representative” role. The contract is capped at $16.5 million for an initial four years with the opportunity to extend it for an additional three years. Expected services include site and architect selection, design and construction oversight.
“I think Vanir is going to do a great job, and I’m very excited for them to join us in this process,” Department Secretary Lindsay Wallace said.
Vanir Construction Management President Jerry Avalos (top left), Board of Corrections Chair Benny Magness (top right) and Department of Corrections Secretary Lindsay Wallace attend a virtual special-called meeting to discuss an “owner’s representative” contract on Oct. 4, 2024. (Screenshot)
The contract marks the first major step toward building the new correctional facility, and the Arkansas Legislative Council will consider its final approval later this month.
The space the prison would provide is intended to relieve crowding at county jails, where a backlog of about 2,000 state inmates are being held. Officials also anticipate needing additional space because the Protect Arkansas Act removes the possibility of parole for the most serious offenders.
Friday’s special-called meeting was held virtually, and no board members had questions about the details of the proposed contract. Chairman Benny Magness clarified that while Vanir will be leaders in the decision-making process, the board will still grant approval for the company’s selections.
A few Vanir employees joined Friday’s call, but aside from introductions to the group, they didn’t speak.
Anne Laidlaw, director of the state Division of Building Authority, and Nathan Alderson, a state architect, also joined the call. Board chair Benny Magness extended his gratitude to the team for working alongside the Department of Corrections.
“[Vanir] will be right at our side, by the department and the board all the way through this process,” Laidlaw said. “From the day we sign this contract, they will be involved in the pre-development phase, all the way through the selections, all the way through construction until through the warranty period after occupancy.”
Vanir will be involved for one year after the Department of Corrections takes control of the facility, Magness said.
The contract will be paid for using an allocation of $75 million in state funds for prison expansion, said Chad Brown, the department’s chief financial officer.
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