The Nebraska State Penitentiary on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, in Lincoln. (Rebecca S. Gratz for the Nebraska Examiner)
LINCOLN — The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services on Wednesday selected which construction company will build the state’s next prison: Hausmann Construction of Lincoln.
Correctional Services said the Lincoln-headquartered company was the lowest base bidder for the project, at $313.3 million, compared to the joint ventures of Sampson Construction/Caddell Construction ($344.3 million) and Clark Construction/MCL Construction ($341 million). One partner in each of the joint ventures was Nebraska-based.
An exterior rendering of the new proposed state prison near Lincoln. (Courtesy of Nebraska Department of Correctional Services)
The Nebraska Legislature appropriated $350 million for building a replacement prison, but some lawmakers worried rising construction costs could push the project over.
Correctional Services Director Rob Jeffreys said Wednesday that the bids came “well below” similar construction projects in other states, and he reaffirmed that the project would stay on budget. The three construction ventures were publicly named Monday, but bid totals were not released until Wednesday.
The department said other costs adjacent to construction, such as land and dirt work, would stay within the state appropriation or other department funding.
“As with any NDCS construction project, there will be ongoing evaluation for efficiencies,” a news release states.
Rob Jeffreys, director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. (Courtesy Office of Gov. Jim Pillen)
The 1,512-bed facility, once built, will be located north of Interstate 80, adjacent to North 70th Street, close to Lincoln.
Hausmann’s recent construction projects include the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Osborne Legacy Complex, Bob Devaney Sports Center renovation and Westbrook Music Hall replacement; expansions for the Lincoln Children’s Zoo and Pillen Family Farms; the Douglas County Treasurer and 911 Operations Center; the Joint Forces Headquarters Building for the Nebraska National Guard; Central Nebraska Veterans Home; multiple Lincoln Fire and Rescue stations and many elementary, middle and high schools.
Jeffreys said the procedural “intent to award” signing with Hausmann “marks an important step forward in our mission to create a safer, more effective correctional system.”
“Hausmann Construction is a local company who understands our commitment to fiscal responsibility, completing this project the Nebraska way,” Jeffreys said. “Their sub-contractors are high-performing and many are local — keeping business in Nebraska. We are ready to work side by side to bring this vision to life for our staff, our state and those we serve.”
The department will continue finalizing the contract with Husmann. The state expects construction to begin in early fall.
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