(KTTS News) — There was a ceremony this morning celebrating the new Greene County Jail.
The Grand Masonic Lodge of Missouri dedicated a cornerstone inside the Jail’s Sally Port.
In 2017, Greene County voters passed a new general revenue half cent sales tax to fund a new jail and other projects.
The County Commission settled on a design recommended by the Sheriff’s Advance Team that would save in staffing costs and provide a location with space for future growth away from the downtown area.
The project was completed on time and under its allocated $150 million budget.
The new Sheriff’s Office and Jail will house 1242 inmates.
The Jail was completed on April 29 and Sheriff’s Office staff began moving in the following week.
Press Release
The Grand Masonic Lodge of Missouri dedicated a cornerstone at the new Greene County Jail on Friday, May 13, after a traditional ceremony inside the Jail’s Sally Port.
Freemasons often honor newly constructed government buildings with cornerstones, typically on the structure’s northeast corner.
The long-standing history dates back to President George Washington laying the cornerstone of the White House in 1792.
The cornerstone symbolizes sturdiness, morality, and truth. Ancient stone masons were paid in corn, wine, and oil for their labor.
Today, they represent nourishment, refreshment, and joy and are used symbolically for the time and effort put into a building’s construction.
After the Grand Procession, comments were given by the Masonic Grand Master Dr. Ty G. Treutelaar, the Greene County Commission and Sheriff Jim Arnott.
The Posting of the Colors was conducted by the Greene County Sheriff’s Honor Guard.
The Willard High School Choir sang several patriotic songs including the National Anthem.
Several Willard South Elementary students recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
“Today marks the culmination of a great deal of hard work by our staff leadership team, design team, construction managers and trade partners,” said Presiding Commissioner Bob Dixon. “We applaud their excellent work to complete the project on time and under budget. The taxpayers of Greene County can be proud.”
Other Greene County office holders, community leaders, and law enforcement officials were also in attendance.
In 2017, Greene County voters passed a new general revenue half cent sales tax to fund a new jail and other projects.
The County Commission settled on a design recommended by the Sheriff’s Advance Team that would save in staffing costs and provide a location with space for future growth away from the downtown area.
The project was completed on time and under its allocated $150 million budget.
The new Sheriff’s Office and Jail will house 1242 inmates.
“The divisions of the Greene County Sheriff’s Office have not been in the same building in the last 40 years,” said Sheriff Jim Arnott. “The new facility is finally bringing all employees together as a team and under one roof. The new facility will not only increase the safety of the citizens of Greene County, but will drastically help with the overcrowding of inmates we have in our current facility.”
The Jail was substantially completed on April 29 and Sheriff’s Office staff began moving in the following week.
The construction portion of the project was a joint venture by JE Dunn Construction and DeWitt & Associates, Inc.
The design portion of the project was led by NFORM Architecture.
The 250-pound black granite cornerstone was donated by Greenlawn Funeral
Home in Springfield.
South Barnes Masonry donated their labor for installation.
The follow Masonic lodges also contributed to the project:
- United #5
- O’Sullivan #7
- Ash Grove #100
- Bolivar #195
- Solomon #271
- Riddick #361
- Gate of the Temple #422
- Pleasant Hope #467
- Republic #570
- Strafford #608
- Willard #620
- University #683
“The lodges of the 34th Masonic District of Missouri are honored to participate in this historic event and we express our thanks and appreciation to all those who will work for the public good in this new facility,” said Travis Schnelle, District Deputy Grand Master of the 34th Masonic District.
Tours were available to the public and media following the ceremony.
Final preparations are being made for staff and inmates to permanently move to the new Jail’s location at 5100 W. State Highway EE in Springfield, later this summer.
