November 22,  2023 - Vacant Bedford County Jail Demoltion Begins

Source:  Bedford County Government - John I. Carney


Work has begun on demolition of the 1987 county jail on Lane Parkway in Shelbyville. Jail inmates were moved to the Bedford County Judicial Complex in January 2020, and the jail has remained empty since that time.

There are no specific plans for the site once demolition is complete, other than as open space, but removal of the jail will improve the view for visitors approaching the courthouse and the public square from the north. There are ongoing discussions of how the cleared site could support downtown activities or parking. This demolition project includes the 1987 jail and the house-like building that held offices next door.  

The historic rock jail on the property, which dates back to the 1800s, will not be demolished and will remain as a landmark and historic site.  The building at the corner of Lane Parkway and North Main Street which once housed the sheriff’s office is still in use as a juvenile detention facility. Complete Demolition Services has the contract for the project.