CONCORD, NH – The Executive Council of NH this week has delayed a vote on a $36 million dollar design contract for a new State Prison for men in Concord.

The firm DLR Group Inc. of Omaha, Nebraska, had been chosen by the state to do a $10 million preliminary analysis which focused on geologic testing for the property which is owned by the state on North State street and is close to the much smaller women’s prison.

Once approved the new men’s prison, which could house 1,500 inmates is expected to cost up to $600 million to construct and is likely to not be finished until 2035.  The existing structure which was built in 1878 is in poor condition.