DeSoto hires firm to design jail

Associated Press - November 3, 2009 10:34 AM ET

HERNANDO, Miss. (AP) - A Memphis architecture firm has been hired to design the new DeSoto County jail.

The Evans Taylor Foster Childress Architects of Memphis was chosen this week over two other firms.

Supervisor Bill Russell tells The Commercial Appeal that the firm will not only design the jail, but will also select the best site and offer long-range planning for the county's new criminal justice facility to replace the current crowded jail in Hernando.

The current jail is certified for 395 prisoners.

Board attorney Tony Nowak says if Evans Taylor's fees are above the standard fees for such a project, the board of supervisors could reject them and then move on to negotiate with 1 of the other firms.

Information from: The Commercial Appeal, http://www.commercialappeal.com