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Public says 'not in my backyard' to proposed Spokane County Jail

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by KREM.com, John Langeler

Posted on January 28, 2010 at 6:24 PM

Updated Friday, Jan 29 at 9:51 AM

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SPOKANE-- The public had its first chance to comment on where to put a new Spokane County Jail.

There are 11 possible sites for a new county jail.

The reaction from most people in those locations is they don’t want the jail in their backyard.

And among those sounding off is Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich, who has already expressed his desire not to have the new jail built downtown next to the old one.

Thursday night’s meeting allowed the public to discuss the second study on Spokane’s jail situation.

There is no doubt there are crowding problems at the jail.

The first report named the downtown campus as the best option, but the newest report released late last year suggested an old gravel pit in Spokane Valley as the best location.

Sites in Airway Heights, Liberty Lake, and Medical Lake are also being considered.

The goal is to merge both studies, present it to the public, and have commissioners decide what to do.

Lt. Mike Sparber from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office says they haven’t decided one way or the other, but what they would like to see is the results come out and then sit down collectively and decide not only what is best right now, but what will also be best 25 years from now. 

The concern is cost. A new, vertical jail could cost more than $265 million. A horizontal jail would cost about $30 million less, but that doesn’t include transportation costs.

Thursday night’s meeting could just be the beginning of a highly political battle over where to put the jail.

A vote by commissioners is expected in March. A vote by the public is expected in August.

 

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valerina said on January 28, 2010 at 7:12 PM

I thought the whole point of buying all the land with the Spokane Raceway Park was because an adjoining piece of land could be used for building another jail? If not then what the heck did they buy it for. The county doesn't need to be a landlord of a losing proposition.

edgruberman said on January 28, 2010 at 7:33 PM

Wouldn't it be much less expensive to renew the contract with Geiger Correctional Facility?

whatsyurbeef said on January 28, 2010 at 7:43 PM

Next time a high rise is built for a jail, have it built with a plan for expansion by adding floors. That way if crime grows so does the building and who knows in time Spokane may have the tallest building. What do ya think and Whats your Beef ?

makingtracks said on January 29, 2010 at 5:06 AM

Folks! What a shame that we are faced with needing ever-bigger facilities to house our miscreants. If EVERYONE raised their kids with strong ethics and family values, we wouldn't need to keep EXPANDING our jail space. That's my beef.

newtski said on January 29, 2010 at 9:52 AM

Too bad they didn't nab or kept that property across the street from them where the railroad tracks was. They could of built the jailhouse their and give the inmates a nice view of the river and the city. Or playfair its tucked away and out of site for a jailhouse.

valleygrr said on January 29, 2010 at 12:00 PM

@makingtracks - I know plenty of great families who have raised children in loving, supportive homes who have gotten out on their own and made bad choices. I also have a niece who was raised by two abusive drug addicts who will be going to Stanford U in a year. That's what these people make - choices. Blaming anyone but the person who makes those choices is ignorant. We all need to be responsible for our own action as adults.