TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– After his first meeting on Tuesday, newly-elected Vigo County Commissioner Mark Clinkenbeard said addressing what to do with the old county jail was one of his top focuses early in his tenure.
“The old jail is a big issue we’re going to tackle, and in fact, we’re going here in about 15 minutes to take a tour of it,” he said.
The tour was Clinkenbeard’s first time seeing the building– but the county has been weighing options for months. A study was conducted by DLZ last year, detailing the condition of the building, and possible options for renovations going forward.
Clinkenbeard, speaking on the phone after his tour, said everything was still on the table.
“There’s been talk of anything from storage to, converting it to more office space or courtroom space or all that,” he said. “We’ll definitely want to get others in there, the county council in there, and let them look at it. That was my first time being in it, and it was quite eye-opening.”
Commissioner Chris Switzer said they should know more in the coming weeks. He said the council will play a significant role in the project– as they do for many major county undertakings.
“I can’t wait to go to the [county council] meeting Tuesday and see what happens, who the next president is and stuff like that. Look forward to working with them collaboratively and collectively throughout Vigo County and the City of Terre Haute, and regionally,” he said.
