The new detention center interior is still on track for an April completion; however, there may be a slight “hiccup” due to a delay in delivery of nichiha panels, which would complete the exterior.
An update on progress at the detention center was shared during the Feb. 8 meeting of the Ripley County Commission.
Braidy Heisserer of Sides Construction said, “As it looks right now, the inside will be done, but we may be waiting on nichiha panels for the outside, to finish.”
Nichiha panels are the fiber cement cladding panels that are planned for the exterior. The manufacturer is saying it could be 8 to 12 weeks before they will be delivered.
The delayed work will be mostly on cosmetic features. The building is sealed, but the scuppers and downspouts, and outside lighting all have to be installed after the panels are in place.
Heisserer said plumbers, HVAC, and electricians are completing their work. “The sprinkler guy will start in two weeks, and once he is done, we will start painting walls.”
Heisserer stated there is no reason not to believe furnishings will be moved in before the originally planned completion date.
Shawn Huffman, project manager for Dille-Pollard, presented modified plans for the “kitchenette,” which will now be a full kitchen, complete with a range, hood, refrigerator and storage.
This change was requested so that meals for the prisoners can be prepared at the center, rather than have them catered.
The commission is in the process of hiring an administrator and hopes to have someone in place by March 1, so staff can be hired and trained before the detention center opens.
Julie Braschler, who is the tourism director for Ripley County, was a guest at Wednesday’s meeting.
She told the commission that Caitlyn Yeager of the Missouri Humanities will be in Doniphan Feb. 16 for a roundtable discussion with the community. This is in regard to Doniphan’s upcoming participation in the Humanities’ Small Town Showcase project.
The meeting will be held at noon at the 1808 Public House.
Discussions will be centered around planning the content for a three- to five-minute video which will be filmed locally as well as an hour-long podcast which will be made about Doniphan, and what and/or who will be featured in the Missouri Humanities biannual publication.
A highlight reel which will feature five Missouri small town communities, will be shown during the Humanities’ annual gala.
“Last year we came in fourth in the showcase,” explained Braschler. She stated she plans to have several civic leaders speak about special programs and activities in and around Doniphan.
Braschler also addressed the commision regarding the need to begin planning for the solar eclipse which will take place April 8, 2024.
“It’s about time to start getting organized. We’ll need to plan things like parking, and port-a-potties, lodging, and police involvement.
“I have 2,000 eclipse glasses, but they were difficult to get. That tells me there are probably a lot of people already ordering them,” she said, adding that it should be a good opportunity to promote tourism locally.
Braschler said last year she held meetings, but the community has been slow to get involved.
Western District Commissioner Keith Whiteside said he feels that as the event gets closer, there will be more interest and a willingness to get involved.
“We have the best viewing area for the eclipse. Our location is positioned for the maximum length of time it will be in sight,” said Braschler.
“That is a good selling point,” stated Serra McCabe, who was a guest at the meeting. “This is something we need to start networking about.
“There may be churches or other groups who would like to plan to view the eclipse together,” suggested McCabe.
Mike Schoelhamer, who was present at the meeting said viewing an eclipse is an event that may also be popular with senior citizens groups.
Braschler said early predictions are that Ripley County could draw upwards of 2,500 star-gazers into the area to see the eclipse.
“That would fill up our local hotels and camp sites,” said McCabe.
Whiteside noted, “We also should make sure anyone with airbnb’s knows about this.”
Braschler said, “I would like to have a meteorologist or astronomer come in and speak, but I don’t know of anyone.”
Schoelhamer suggested she might contact area colleges for a speaker.
Braschler also said she would like to have a lighted sign at some location in town that would count down the days until the eclipse.
It was suggested that the local banks might be willing to use their signs for this purpose, and McCabe suggested banners advertising the eclipse might also be helpful.
On Friday, the commission met at the detention center site with engineers, architects, the city director of utilities and adjacent landowners to determine placement of the drainage ditch. It was decided to dig the ditch between the property line, closer to the jail.
The county plans for its crews to complete the ditch next week as part of its in-kind contribution.