Construction on the SMART Facility expansion project is well under way. Groundbreaking took place on October 27, 2010 with approximately 75 people in attendance, including John Forren, CEO of Paladin Eastside, Dr. Geraldine Nagy, Director of Travis County Adult Probation, as well as Travis County commissioners, judges and representatives of Zaplac/Reed Contractors – the construction company hired to undertake the project.

When complete, the building will have the capacity to hold 72 offenders. Together with the current facility, Paladin Eastside will be able to house 148 residents between the two buildings. The project is scheduled to be completed Fall 2011.

Zaplac/Reed Contractors has been busy since November with the project. Three large storage buildings in the footprint of the new facility expansion had to be relocated before any construction could begin. In December, concrete forms, plumbing and utility ground work were completed. The concrete foundation was poured in February, which required hundreds of bolts to be installed into the concrete in precise locations. These bolts are what hold the building down and have to be positioned within ¼” of the mechanical drawings so that when the building arrives, it bolts easily together. During the last week of February, the building’s frame arrived on two semi trucks. By the beginning of March, the building’s main skeleton was 80% assembled. Toward the end of March, the roof had been installed and the metal framework was 50% complete.
 

Stay tuned for more updates on the progress of the new expansion.