Utah’s $800m Dollar Prison is under Construction

The price started at $650 million and will probably end closer to $900 million.

“When you consider what has to happen out here, it’s amazing,” Richins said. “We’re basically building a small city.”

For a prison that will house about 3,600 inmates, about 1,200 employees and at times 2,000 volunteers, Richins’ characterization of a “small city” isn’t an exaggeration.

The massive project has run into a wide array of challenges, both on and off the construction site. The once $650 million price tag has continued to climb with escalating construction costs in the current market’s building boom. Those costs continue to rise today due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs on China and construction costs, Richins said.

It’s now surpassed $800 million, Richins said, though she declined to give a final number, noting “we still have some precarious procurements to make.” The Utah Legislature approved roughly $900 million in bonding authority for the project.

“Just because we have the authority doesn’t mean we will spend all of that, but it does mean our project is fully funded,” Richins said.

https://www.ksl.com/article/46636632...ace-like-legos