Franklin County officials break ground on new jail in west Columbus

Officials with the Franklin County Sheriff Office and the Franklin County Board of Commissioners broke ground on a new jail Monday afternoon.The first phase of the project, located on the west side of Columbus, will include 900 beds for inmates and cost approximately $175 million.This phase, set to open in late 2019, will allow the county to close the current downtown jail facility. That facility first opened in 1969.Phase one will include 16 individual housing units including specialized units