COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Decades of history came tumbling down Friday, as demolition began at the old Branch County Jail.
Abatement work wrapped Wednesday and crews from Handy Excavating of Quincy began tearing down the building Friday. The total project is expected to cost around $340,000. The original budget for the demolition was around a half million dollars.
The demolition to be completed by mid to late August.
Demolition of the old Branch County Jail July 12, 2024 (courtesy Branch County Sheriff’s Department)
The county was successful in obtaining a nearly $145,000 grant from the State of Michigan last year to offset some of the cost.
The building for many years served as the Maple Lawn Medical Care Facility before a new location for Maple Lawn was built on Sprague Street across from the Branch County Fairgrounds. The jail was then moved from its downtown Coldwater location in 1993 to the building on Marshall Road just north of Coldwater.
Demolition of the old Branch County Jail July 12, 2024 (courtesy Branch County Sheriff’s Department)
The new Branch County Jail officially opened in October 2021. The construction of the new jail was made possible after a 20-year, 1.25 mill proposal was approved by Branch County voters in August 2018. Two previous attempts to pass a new jail millage failed in 2006 and 2016.
News Director Jim Measel contributed to this story
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