Old Jail Public Meeting - October 28, 2026

Coconino County’s Old Jail public meeting on October 28, 2026, outlined plans to demolish the nonhistoric portion of the unused jail building, preserve and restore the historic jail, and use the cleared site as modest interim open space while the county develops plans for a future Justice Center. Demolition is anticipated to begin in early 2027. The county said the overall project—including design, construction, rehabilitation, and related work—is estimated at about $3.15 million, supported by multiple funding sources. Asbestos abatement was initially estimated at about $300,000, with roughly $200,000 in additional change orders for materials found during the work; ADEQ and EPA funding covered the added scope, so the county reported no general-fund cost for abatement. Spray Systems was identified as the abatement contractor, and Peak Engineering and Kinney were mentioned in connection with the project team. No contract award vote or spending motion was reported.

The county said the future Justice Center is not yet funded; the 2025 facilities master plan estimated it at about $75 million, while officials suggested current costs could approach $100 million. The proposed courthouse could be about 95,000 square feet and would require several years for design and construction after funding is secured. Other capital projects mentioned as context included a roughly $20 million jail improvement project and an approximately $12 million regional service center in Tuba City. The county plans further public engagement on the site’s interim use and historic preservation. It also intends to seek historic-district designation, which officials said could open additional funding opportunities. No procurement approvals or votes were identified.