WOODBURY COUNTY, Iowa (KTIV) – In just a few weeks, we will be able to get our first official look inside the new Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center, as the county officially took control of the jail last week.

The Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center Authority announced the “substantial completion” of the project last week, meaning the sheriff’s office has officially assumed control of the building.

Substantial completion was achieved on August 16, and the keys were handed over to the Sheriff’s Office on August 21 and 22.

READ MORE: Woodbury County’s new Law Enforcement Center largely completed, control transferred to LEC Authority

Substantial completion means the Sheriff’s Office can begin moving items into the new jail and also begin training staff while work is underway to complete the facility.

While you might think that handing over keys is as simple as handing over a set of keys, the Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center Authority says it’s a bit more complicated.

“We had boxes and boxes of keys,” said agency spokesman Shane Albrecht. “We had keys to the commercial locks, obviously the prison locks, rolling doors, desks, lockers, filing cabinets, electrical panels, just to name a few of the things we missed.”

From the date of substantial completion, October 15, contractors have 60 days to achieve final completion.

The agency is also working on a time capsule containing documents, photographs and other items to be installed in the new LEC and for the county to open at a later date.

The agency has also scheduled an open house to give taxpayers a chance to take a look inside the new prison. The open house is set for Wednesday, September 18. A grand opening will be held at 10:30 a.m., and public tours will be held every half hour from noon to 6 p.m.

Further details on how to participate will be announced at a later date.

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