Screenshot via Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation
The county needs a new jail because of the current system's obsolete design, which would require $30 million in renovations, according to Daniel Junior, director of Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation. The upgraded design will include classrooms, provide work skills, and offer more mental-health services.
In recent weeks, Junior has been appearing at meetings in the cities surrounding the two jail sites to discuss the county's plan.
At a recent meeting of the Miami Springs City Council, he said the first site near TGK has already gone out for bid.
Next month, the county will publish design criteria for super-sizing Metro West facilities — the second jail site — with final proposals due in October. Once approved by a selection committee, which may take about a year, all jail plans must then be okayed by the county commission. Construction at TGK and Metro West is expected to take about three and a half years.