Timeline of jail project

After months of citing extreme overcrowding at the Suffolk jails, the state Commission of Correction pushes the county to rebuild the Yaphank jail.

County Executive Steve Levy introduces a resolution requiring that the project be done under a Project Labor Agreement, which sets work rules and mandates that prevailing wage be paid. The Legislature approves it, ensuring the job will be done by union workers.

A county Department of Public Works Committee selects LiRo, a Syosset firm, as the project's construction manager, even though LiRo is the high bidder.

Department of Public Works Commissioner Charles Bartha retires. A month later, he goes to work for a contractor on the jail project, Sidney B. Bowne & Son Inc.

County awards the contract for precast modular cells to J.D. Posillico. Members of the Suffolk Judicial Facilities Agency express "grave concern" and "shock" that the bid was awarded without their knowledge.

County officials tell JFA members that their role in the project will be limited because the county will issue its own general obligation bonds.

The county breaks ground on the jail.

SOURCE: SUFFOLK COUNTY RECORDS