BROWNSVILLE - One of Cameron County's jails will get an additional 650 beds once an addition is finished.
County Commissioners this week approved negotiating a contract with Aguirre Architectural Firm of Austin to design a building connected to the Carrizalez-Rucker Detention Center, The Brownsville Herald reported for Thursday editions.
Construction could begin in three to five months, said Remi Garza, director of administrative service for Cameron County. Once the annex is finished, the facility would have 1,300 beds.
Sheriff Omar Lucio estimated the building could cost up to $27 million. However, the cost could be much lower because Carrizalez-Rucker already has kitchens, bathing areas and other infrastructure in place, Garza said.
Last month, municipal judges assessed personal recognizance bonds on some people because there wasn't much jail space left.
