County commissioners pick design firm for new jail

Flathead County commissioners on Thursday selected a firm to design a potential new jail facility for the county.  

Commissioners Pam Holmquist and Brad Abell approved the selection of Elevatus Architecture. Commissioner Randy Brodehl was absent from the meeting.  

Based in Indiana, Elevatus Architecture’s portfolio includes civic buildings, jails and detention centers and health facilities.  

Holmquist praised the decision as the next step in the process, saying the county has recognized the need for a new detention center since 2017.  

“We’ve been putting money in a separate fund ever since,” she said. “We have a lot of work ahead of us, but ultimately it will be up to the citizens and voters of this county to move this project to completion. I hope that happens.”  

Seven firms applied to the county under a request for qualifications for the facility. After reviewing proposals, a county committee selected Elevatus Architecture and Cushing Terrell and DLR Group for a follow up interview and review of the firm's previous jail projects. The committee then recommended Elevatus.  

The county will begin contract negotiations with the firm. 

The county earlier this year purchased 114 acres south of Kalispell as a potential location for a future jail.  

Preliminary estimates for a facility put the project between $115 and $134 million. The county has set aside $13.8 million for a new facility.  

It will likely have to seek approval from voters of a bond and levy for the construction and operation of a new detention facility.  

Deputy Editor Heidi Desch may be reached at 758-4421 or hdesch@dailyinterlake.com.