News : Supervisors tour Law Enforcement Center

The view of the courthouse from inside what will be the 911 operators room.

Masons work near the door of the sallyport, where officers will drive inmates into the jail area.

Local leaders look around the inside of what will be the jail area.

Jerry Petermeier points out the progress to the supervisors and EMA Director Scott Hansen.

Scott Hansen takes a photo showing the progress of the Emergency Management EOC.

Many windows, doors are in place.

A view from the northwest corner of the prison area

Sparks from a welder's torch fall inside the prison area.

Jerry Petermeier hopes to lead the Benton County Supervisors on tours of the new Law Enforcement Center every two weeks from now on.

He said that the progress being made on the building is the kind that can easily be seen.

Petermeier led such a tour on Tuesday, during the supervisor's weekly meeting.

He discussed the project with Jason Sanders, Dave Vermedahl and Ron Buch. Benton County Emergency Management Agency Director Scott Hansen also had his first look at the inside of the construction site.

"Until today, I have taken all of my photos from the upstairs window of the courthouse," Hansen said.

The exterior brick work on the jail area is nearly complete. The forms have been set for the Emergency Operation Center. That room, like the 911 equipment and operator rooms, will be made with thick poured concrete that can withstand tornado-strength winds.

The supervisors also toured the jail area. They stood in the center of the jail space, where the control room will be. From that spot, the jail staff can see into each cell area as well as the exercise room.

The leaders saw and heard welders on the roof, attaching the metal sheeting in preparation for the installation of roofing materials over the jail area later this month.

Petermeier said the progress seemed to be going well and staying on schedule. He said there is a concern about how early snow could affect the work. The plan is to have the building enclosed before winter weather arrives so work can continue inside. A summer of rainy weather has been followed by a few weeks of sunshine, which has helped with some of the exterior work.