The Macon-Bibb County Commission voted Tuesday to approve the next step in planned upgrades at the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center, authorizing a contract with Warren Associates, Inc. to begin pre-construction work.

Under the agreement, Warren Associates, Inc. will be paid $17,000 for pre-construction services as the County prepares to move the project into the construction phase. This work will help finalize planning, coordination, and cost estimates before construction begins.

The jail upgrades are part of a phased approach aimed at improving safety, addressing aging infrastructure, and expanding capacity for maximum security and mental health needs. The project follows the Commission’s earlier approval of architectural and design services and reflects continued momentum toward long-term solutions at the facility.

“This vote allows us to keep moving forward,” said Mayor Lester Miller. “We know there are real needs at the jail, and this step helps us transition from planning to action while making sure we do it the right way.”

Sheriff David Davis has previously emphasized the importance of the upgrades, noting they will improve conditions for inmates and staff while strengthening the facility’s ability to handle inmates requiring higher security or additional mental health care.

The project will include up to 150 beds, including 96 maximum security beds and 24 beds for inmates experiencing mental health challenges. The project is expected to cost anywhere between $28.5 million and $31 million. Construction is expected to take 14 to 16 months.

The improvements are part of Mayor Miller’s broader justice reform efforts, which focus on improving safety and conditions inside the jail while also expanding alternatives to incarceration and access to mental health and supportive services across Macon-Bibb County.