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PI County jail in need of new roof

News Photo by Crystal Nelson Buckets to catch the water leaking from the Presque Isle County jail’s roof are just one of the ways sheriff department employees are combating the jails leaky roof. The roof has been leaking for 15 years and has increasingly gotten worse over the last three years, according to Sheriff Joseph Brewbaker.

ROGERS CITY — Presque Isle County officials can no longer afford to put off the replacement of the county jail’s roof. The roof has been leaking for 15 years, according to Sheriff Joseph Brewbaker, who said its gotten increasingly worse over the last three years.

“It’s been going on way too long,” Brewbaker recently told the board of county commissioners. “It’s leaking and it’s dangerous.”

He said the roof needs to be replaced as soon as possible.

Sheriff Department employees have been removing water logged ceiling tiles and using buckets to catch the water dripping from the ceiling this spring. The skylights in the jail, located near the inmates, are also leaking.

Brewbaker said the leaks are problematic because the moisture gets into the insulation and ceiling tiles, which then have to be replaced, and that leaks are occurring near wiring as well. He said, fortunately, the leaks are currently contained to the hallways and are not leaking on the inmates in the cell.

Brewbaker explained the foundation of the building is constructed from concrete blocks and the roof is made from poured cement. But about 12 inches of poured rubber is poured on top of the cement to insulate it. A very thin layer of rubber is placed over top of that rubber to act like a vinyl covering.

The county has previously conducted a study on the roof to find out how bad it was. He said they cut into the roof to check it and found out it had rotted.

“One company, which is Doyle Roofing, said it’s the worst they’ve ever seen in all their years of their business,” he said. “They stated a good wind storm is going to rip it right off.”

Brewbaker said one company from the study estimated the roof could cost at least $140,000 to replace. He said he would like to see the roof replaced this spring. The Sheriff has been keeping county commissioners updated at their board meetings.

The county did not include the roof replacement in its current budget. County Clerk Ann Marie Main said the county board of commissioners have not yet discussed funding for the project.

Main will be reaching out to a number of contractors, including Doyle Roofing and Duraguard Commercial Roofing, to solicit bids for the project. The county is reaching out to a number of recommended companies because they will be aware of the requirements from the Michigan Department of Corrections.

Commissioner John Chappa asked if county officials could look into the possibility of a green roof for the roof replacement.

Crystal Nelson can be reached at cnelson@thealpenanews.com or 989-358-5687.

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