Design Plans – Oklahoma County's New Jail
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12/6/21
The Criminal Justice Advisory Council (Clay Bennett, Chairman of the OKC Thunder and Founding Chairman of CJAC; Tony Tyler, Tyler Media; Sue Ann Arnall, Arnall Family Foundation; Kevin Calvey, OK County Commissioner; Craig Freeman, OKC City Manager; David Prater, OK County District Attorney; Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and others) recommended that the Board of County Commissioners approve the construction of a new detention center at an estimated cost of $297 million, although the location and specific design had yet to be determined.
Project Timeline
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6/28/22
Oklahoma County voters approve a $260 million bond package, paving the way for the building of a new jail facility.
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7/26/23
HOK – a global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm – is selected to design the new Oklahoma County Detention Center. HOK, a national leader in designing correctional facilities, teams with Rees of Oklahoma City on the project.
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1/2/24
Oklahoma County Commissioners approve Flintco as construction contractor for the project. Headquartered in Tulsa, with offices in Oklahoma City, Flintco provides innovative construction solutions across the United States.
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12/30/24
After an extensive evaluation of several potential sites, and several setbacks, an official opinion from State Attorney General Gentner Drummond allows Oklahoma County to move forward with plans to build the new jail facility at 1901 E Grand Blvd. in southeast Oklahoma City.
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1/31/25
Oklahoma Couty officials break ground on a new Behavioral Care Center that will be a key component of the Oklahoma Country Detention Center at 1901 E. Grand Blvd. The separate facility will be funded by nearly $40 million from the American Rescue Plan Act.
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8/20/25
Without full funding available, Oklahoma County Commissioners approved selling $215 million in remaining bonds to begin a phased build-out of the Oklahoma County Detention Center. The focus of the approved construction is an intake center for the current downtown jail and the adjacent Behavioral Care Center now under construction. A new kitchen and laundry will also be part of the detention center project.
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8/20/25
Oklahoma County Commissioners selected Tulsa-based CREOKS Health Services to operate the Behavioral Care Center that is under construction at the site of the new Oklahoma County Detention Center. The Behavioral Care Center will conduct medical and psychological assessment screening to identify individuals who may qualify for treatment at the Behavioral Care Center rather than jail incarceration.
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8/12/26
By a 2-1 vote, Oklahoma County Commissioners called for a county-wide election to approve a four-tenths of one percent (0.40%) sales tax, for 25 years, to operate, maintain, construct, renovate, finance, equip and pay staff of Oklahoma County detention, diversion and mental health facilities and programs. The election date is November 3, 2026.
Proposition for Sales Tax