Berrien County is going to move forward with some improvements to the Juvenile Center, although they’ll be scaled back from what was originally planned, at least for now.

Speaking to colleagues Thursday, Berrien County Commissioner Jim Curran said the administration committee has been briefed on the latest developments that include the opening of bids for work at the center. The problem is that there were no bids.

Curran said County Administrator Brian Dissette has now identified the most critical work so that can at least be done.

“There is a laundry list of things that were on that list for $5.3 million,” Curran said. “There are actually a couple of items that are urgent that need to be done. And so what Brian is proposing off the list that you look at are the potable well, the fire protection, and replacing the sprinkler heads for a total of $557,000.”

Dissette said this work can be done through the county’s waiver process. He said this is a pretty big waiver, but the work needs to be done. He told commissioners he’ll have documents outlining the project soon so contracts can be sought.