By Jessie Burchette
Salisbury Post
A Kannapolis company is set to work on the Rowan County Justice Center, which will include additional courtrooms, more jail beds and a public entrance to the Sheriff’s Department.
H.M. Kern Corporation is the low bidder with a price of $3,958,000.
County commissioners are set to award the contract at their meeting Monday at 4 p.m.
In a memo to the board, Interim County Manager Leslie Heidrick pointed out the bid price is $258,000 over budget, but due to the nature of the renovations, staff is not recommending any changes in the project.
Commissioners will also hear from John Harkins, chief of the N.C. Jails and Detention Section. Jail inspectors have repeatedly cited overcrowding at the jail and want the county to take immediate action to improve conditions.
In other business, the board:
– Conduct a condemnation hearing on a house at 114 Eastbrook Circle. The house was heavily damaged by fire in September 2006. The Eastbrook Property Owners Association requested the county take action.
If approved, the county will demolish and remove the structure.
– Conduct a public hearing on rezoning the Cornerstone Church property on Webb Road from rural residential to commercial business industrial to allow a pizza delivery operation in the church’s multi-purpose center.
– Conduct a quasi-judicial hearing on a request by William Webb for rezoning of 8.16 acres on Bernard Lane off the 4300 block of Long Ferry Road to allow 48,000 square feet of self-storage in metal buildings.
– Approve a reimbursement agreement with the N.C. Department of Transportation for up to $45,000 to develop and mark bicycle routes in the county.
– Recognize Carolyn Athey, clerk to the board, for earning the designation of a certified municipal clerk.
– Consider an offer from SBA Properties to buy a lot on Dan Street where the company has a communications tower.
– Set a public hearing for an upcoming meeting on a request by Duke Energy for a conditional use permit to allow construction of two natural gas-fired combustion turbine generators and related equipment.
Duke Energy is currently seeking approval from state agencies.
The Rowan County Board of Commissioners meets at 4 p.m. Monday in the J. Newton Cohen Sr. Meeting Room, County Administrative Offices Building, 130 W. Innes St.