SMITHFIELD – Johnston County Commissioners have approved the hiring of M. Durwood Stephenson & Associates Inc. to oversee construction of the new detention center that will be built on Highway 70 East of Smithfield at Yelverton Grove Road.
County Manager Rick Hester received unanimous approval from Commissioners to hire the company. Jimmy Boykin will be the representative from the firm assigned to the project. The cost for construction management will not exceed $265,000, which is approximately 6/10ths of one percent the total cost of the project.
“We didn’t have anyone on staff to really handle that from the county’s perspective,” Hester told JoCoReport. “I feel like we will save more money than the cost of the position from his knowledge.”
Boykin, who is Vice President of M. Durwood Stephenson & Associates has over 43 years experience in the building industry. He is a licensed general contractor and a broker. Mr. Boykin also oversaw construction of the Workforce Development Center in Clayton and Neuse Charter School in Smithfield. He has assisted with construction of the Smithfield Town Hall, Princeton Town Hall, Four Oaks Town Hall, and addition and renovation to the Johnston County Water Plant.
Mr. Hester said the design phase of the new Johnston County Detention Center is currently underway. He anticipates bids to be awarded for the new facility in early-2020 with construction beginning in mid-2020. Barring any delays, the new jail could open in early 2022.
