“Groundbreaking for the new Pierce County jail addition took place Tuesday afternoon.The numerous years of planning for the addition culminated in a contract with Absher Kitchell for the construction of a $53 million, 1,000-bed addition to the jail. The location is immediately west of the existing jail site.Wagner Development Inc., a University Place firm, has been awarded the contract for demolition of the former county-city parking garage, to make way for the addition.The project is expected to be completed in August 2002.An architectural rendering of the addition to the Pierce County jail, top, courtesy of Chris Lilley, McGranahan Architects. Previous photo: Pierce County Executive Doug Sutherland takes a swipe at demolition during the groundbreaking.”