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New jail site emerges

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BY MATT OLBERDING / Lincoln Journal Star

Wednesday, Oct 25, 2006 - 12:16:58 am CDT

Consultants and County Board members have indicated their preference for building a new jail a site at Southwest 40th and West O streets.

The site, which scored highest in the consultants’ ranking system and also is estimated to have the lowest long-term costs, was not identified during Tuesday’s presentation of a draft pre-architectural jail study by consultants from Clark Enersen Partners, Carlson West Povondra Architects and Chinn Planning.

But a satellite photo provided in an informational packet matches up with a satellite photo of that intersection.

Story Photo
The County-City Building, the current site of the Lancaster County Jail. (LJS File)

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Graphic: Proposed jail site

Graphic: Proposed jail site (Sheila Story / Lincoln Journal Star)...

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Also, the site is described as being 36 acres and currently for sale. The Southwest 40th site is just more than 36 acres and is for sale for nearly $3 million.

The consultants presented County Board members with three options Tuesday: Expand the current jail to the south, build another jail and continue to use the downtown one, or build a new jail and renovate and reuse the space in the current jail.

The consultants ranked the current downtown site at 10th and J streets, the Southwest 40th site and three other unidentified sites based on criteria such as size, accessibility, costs and integration with community planning.

The Southwest 40th site scored highest, with 1,320 out of a possible 1,500 points. The site of the current jail ranked last, with 811 points.

One of the big problems with the current site is expansion would remove a parking lot and close a street, and further expansion would be limited without acquiring more property.

The current jail, with a capacity of 237, is extremely overcrowded and the county must either expand it or build a new one to comply with state standards.

Consultants estimate building a 286,660-square-foot jail with 776 beds would serve the county until at least 2025.

Each option has pros and cons and all are enormously costly, but board members expressed universal preference for building a new jail and reusing the old one, a plan that consultants estimated would cost the least in the long run.

Commissioner Ray Stevens said he liked the plan, called Option C, because it would offer the opportunity to build a state-of-the art jail and also leave room for future expansion.

The fact that it would cost less to operate doesn’t hurt either, he said.

“I think that becomes a key factor.”

While building a new jail and closing the old one would cost more initially — an estimated $82 million to $84 million — by 2025 the cost would have been about $305.6 million.

The consultants estimated that would be $3.3 million less than an expansion of the old jail and nearly $37 million less than building a new jail and continuing to operate the old one.

Architect Al Povondra, one of the consultants, said while all options have enormous capital costs, it’s nothing compared to the ongoing operational costs, which he called “the costs that are forever.”

Povondra conceded there is no perfect option when it comes to a new jail

Consultants and board members conceded Option C is not perfect and does have hurdles to overcome.

One of those is getting local judges to agree to video arraignments to cut down on transportation costs.

Commissioner Larry Hudkins called it “paramount” that judges buy in to video arraignment.

There is also the question of how to pay for a new jail.

The board was told it has several options, some of which require voter approval.

“There isn’t a perfectly clean solution for financing any of this,” said Scott Keene of Ameritas Investment Corp.

The consultants plan to issue a final report by the end of the month, which, based on the comments of county board members, will likely recommend the Southwest 40th site.

The final decision will be made by the County Board, which is not likely to vote until next year, said Kerry Eagan, the county’s chief administrative officer.

“I think we’re a few months away,” he said.

Reach Matt Olberding at 473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.


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just because wrote on October 25, 2006 1:37 am:
" Where is the money going to come from? I think the prisoners should have to start paying room and board! "

 Go for it wrote on October 25, 2006 2:59 am:
" I like Option C, it is clearly the best choice right now. I believe it would save money in the long run, and thats what the city needs to do right now. "

 con wrote on October 25, 2006 4:30 am:
" its about time, I need a new hotel. "

 Bill wrote on October 25, 2006 7:33 am:
" I guess it would depend on the ultimate use of the old jail. What will it cost to renovate into usable space? Will there be savings in the long run by eliminating all the rental space the City/County currently are paying for in Lincoln? Can the City sell off the K Street storage and move Public Works back into the campus at 9th/J? If that were to be done, would they be closing off the street south of the building and have to build a parking garage? Isn't the top floor of the north addition still shell space for future expansion? "

 prisioners pooooooooo wrote on October 25, 2006 8:27 am:
" I agree with they should have to pay. What sucks is the downtown drunks that get free room and board week after week. We should make a prision in the middle of western NE and make them stay in tents and work. "

 Me too wrote on October 25, 2006 8:30 am:
" I agree that the prisoners should have to pay back the City for room and board... someway, somehow. "

 More taxes? wrote on October 25, 2006 8:33 am:
" Gee, didn't we just build the existing jail within the last 10 or 12 years? And it sounds like these current plans would be good for only another 15 years or so. I'd like to see a study on why there are so many prisoners and what other, less costly options for jail time, such as home restrictions and ankle bracelets, are reasonable alternatives. "

 Richard wrote on October 25, 2006 9:12 am:
" Maybe GPS monitoring paid for by the accused could be an option rather than incarceration for some of these offenders. For low risk offenders it seems to be more sensible to me to let them continue working and being with their family. "

 Tuffy wrote on October 25, 2006 9:14 am:
" This is Nebraska, not Arizona. Nebraska has a little thing called Jail Standards. Arizona does not. This article is about building a JAIL, not a prison. Jails are for people who have just been arrested, awaiting court appearance, or have been sentenced for a misdemeanor crime. An axe murderer goes through a county jail before he goes to prison. "

 response wrote on October 25, 2006 9:38 am:
" have you heard of meth??? the increase in jail populations across the country are do to meth users, manufacturers and dealers. it's not only meth though, most crimes have a connection to drugs. hookers turn tricks for drug money, people rob stores for their habit, muggers do the same, assaults and shooting are usually tied to drugs, either people being high or people owing money. how bout we take that big chunk of lottery money we gave the state fair and put it to good use and build a bigger jail, have harsher punishments, make inmates repay for their stay and hire more officers. "

 I'm gone wrote on October 25, 2006 9:43 am:
" I agree prisoners should pay room and board. They love to go to jail and watch TV and play cards and ball games. What a life. Probably should build enough to house all of the Lincoln citizens, cause we'll be there some day when we have to rob a bank to pay our property taxes. Lincoln can find enough expenditures to cover the whole U.S. I hope they make it extra beautiful so it matches all the rest of the Palm Springs style houses and buildings. "

 back to work...yeah right. wrote on October 25, 2006 10:07 am:
" I would bet that a bigger percentage of inmates didn't have jobs when they went to jail, so the statement about allowing them to continue working is probably a little far fetched. I am absolutely all for inmates making payments for life until they have paid for their stay in jail. A lot of them weren't paying rent anywhere anyway, so this is just free room & board. Why should the public have to pay for these peoples mistakes. I didn't hold the gun or beat the guy or use the drugs. When is America going to make people be responsible for themselves and quit being a WELFARE SOCIETY? I'd like to use my hard earned money for my family and myself. If I wanted to feed someone, I'd ask them over or take them out. My family will continue to pay a bit monthly for a child that doesn't have anything near what us Americans have. Others should pay their own way unless circumstances besides crime or slothfulness are present. "

 Lara wrote on October 25, 2006 10:18 am:
" Why don't we find ways to decrease incaceration rates. Building jails is like adding lanes to highways, it's just going to increase congestion. The current jail is really not that old is it? Now I agree that it would be nice to have that space there in downtown for other uses, but I'm not convinced of the need for this new jail. Incarceration is a very cyclical business and though there may be a recent uptick in demand, history tells us that it may not be permanent. Let's figure out alternatives to incarceration at this level. Most of those jailed there now do not represent a menace to the general public. There are other options here, the county just doesn't want the public to know about them. "

 SPC. ANDREW wrote on October 25, 2006 10:20 am:
" Yes, I to think they should pay room and board. If there is no way they can pay make them do community service and pick up trsh or something. Im inthe army and i still pay for my food. "

 Amazing wrote on October 25, 2006 10:26 am:
" I suppose I shouldn't be suprised that some people complain that the county wants to build something with keeping the citizens safe. It would be nice if some people had a clue as to what day to day operations of a jail required. better criminals be in jail than on the streets. "

 What's wrong with wrote on October 25, 2006 10:39 am:
" not jailing nonviolent prisoners and give them house arrest with time in jail on weekends and community service for a few years. This way we would benefit all around. The person has Monday thru Friday at home. Spends some time behind bars on weekends with some community work during the day light hours. Plus we don't have to foot the burden of building a new jail. If the individual has no place to live at house arrest, then they would have to serve jail time but only until the person can get a job and then when able to pay rent, all of the above punishments. We would have room for them at the current jail because of less people being sentenced to jail. I'll tell you why this won't be considered. Because it will help the person instead of hardening them to the outside world and it doesn't create as many jobs. But you and i will once again suffer the burden of another unnecessary tax increase for this building, for it's personnel and for it's prisoner upkeep at $15 to $20 thousand a year. Stealing our money away from our loved ones, our husbands and wives, our children our homes our lifestlye because we just sit and take it over and over and over again. Let's protest for another more economical, more effective rehilibation way verses jail time. Call, E, or write our county officials, city council members and Mayor. I am. Do we really want to pay for this thing for the rest of our lives because that's what will happen? But one will. Thank of yourself, think of your faimily. "

 Disgruntled Taxpayer wrote on October 25, 2006 11:09 am:
" Let's see...it's taken the residents of Oak Hills/Arnold Heights years to get a supermarket, NW 48th Street still isn't widened to 4 lanes like it ought to be, Adams Street goes unpaved even though it creates major dust problems, and now let's stick a jail out there...oh, wait, we have one! The work release center is already located in our neighborhood & we have had numerous escapes from there. What security is the County going to give us homeowners against escapees???? Are they going to install private home security systems in all the homes located out there? Doubtful! And what's with giving prisoners TV, exercise equipment, etc. - some punishment! "

 JB wrote on October 25, 2006 11:28 am:
" Jail is the only way that the citizens of Lancaster County safe. Probabtion and Parole are a joke, with each officer responsible for scores of criminals. It is a free ride for the criminals, and they know it. When a multiple-arrested offender gets probabtion (again) he laughs all the way out of court. Let's get real. Lock up criminals, and keep Lincoln safe "

 gee wrote on October 25, 2006 11:29 am:
" Jail is used only for people who have been arrested and awaiting trial if they can't post bond. Also for people who are sentenced to less than 1 year confinement. You get more than 1 year which most meth users do, you go to the big house. As for the drunks, they haven't been housed in jail for many years unless they are violent. If you are picked up for being drunk, you go to detox, you do not go to jail, you do not collect $200.00. What's wrong with keeping the current facility for the people awating trial or bond and use the Air Park facility which could be expanded cheaper for people who are serving their sentence? "

 Property tax payer wrote on October 25, 2006 1:39 pm:
" Just start charging the prisoners property taxes on an 84 million dollar property. That should keep most people on the straight and narrow. The prison I live in (Being a county property owner) is $28 per day in property taxes, by far my single biggest expense. I think it’s sad when someone spends more in property taxes than they do on food. How are we going to pay for such a monster? The one we have now is only about 12 years old. OR, how about buying criminals one-way bus tickets out of state. "

 D.A. wrote on October 25, 2006 2:04 pm:
" $70 million for a jail that will be equipped with state of the art heat and air conditioning systems for alleged rapists, killers, cheaters, drunks, drug addicts and other losers. We have children in schools and residents in nursing homes that have broke no laws that will not have the hvac systems in their schools and institutions that these criminals will have. While making sure that the jailbirds are comfortable, we'll make sure they get three balanced meals a day while working poor people who have pride and dignity and pay taxes will decide whether to eat once or twice a day. Something is wrong with the above scenario. The words jail and overcrowding shouldn't be in the same sentence...its supposed to be unpleasant and uncomfortable...maybe if word got out how bad it was on the inside the folks who can't behave might think a little more before they make so many bone-headed decisions in their lives. "

 the truth wrote on October 25, 2006 3:03 pm:
" all of you complain that jail should be uncomfortable and it should be "hard time" and not to worry about overcrowding but you dont realize that with jail standards there are hundreds of lawyers flying around like vulchers waiting to sue the city and county if these crybaby inmate say their stay was uncomfortable, I know this first hand as I am a retired correctional officer and have been named in some of these lawsuits by inmates complaining "

 Jan wrote on October 25, 2006 3:23 pm:
" The answer to this is stop making everything a crime. We lock up more people and for longer times in the US than any other industrialized nation. The drug laws are stupid and you can't protect people from themselves. Imagine what this country would be like if we put the money we waste on fighting drugs into education. Think about the amount of money spent on that. DEA, every police department, Coast Guard, foreign aid to stop the growth, prisons, etc. etc. etc. etc. I'm not saying we were wrong to try, I'm just saying at some point you have step back and analyze what your doing, realize it doesn't work and change. I really believe in the long run we would have a much better society if would spend those trillions on other things. "

 Overtaxed - nothing to show for it! wrote on October 25, 2006 3:32 pm:
" The people in the Airpark Neighborhood are charged the same percentage of taxes as all citizens in Lincoln - YET - we can't get our streets paved - or plowed in the winter, our school/library/rec center (that was promised with tax money if we just passed the bond issue), our fire station (in my 6 years I have seen Malcolm and the Air Guard respond and not LFR), parking patrol refuses to come out on calls, we can increase what noise is allowed in this part of town and keep it lower to not allow a drag strip on the other end of town, but you can dump on us with a jail - something no other person in this city wants in their part of town. Start charging taxes based on what city/county/LPS services are provided in that part of town and let us pay for the benefits we get - NOTHING. "

 Been there wrote on October 25, 2006 4:54 pm:
" Last jail was built because there was room for expansion. It was high tech and about 500 beds short. Looks like the same thing is going to happen again. Not looking far enough into the future,only 19 years. The current jail is overcrowded and it only took about 5 years. "

 wow wrote on October 25, 2006 5:35 pm:
" Half the people in jail currently have spent most of thier lives in the system anyways. They have no jobs, nor are they willing to work. Some of you below think runnning a jail is simple, "make them work," right. The only time you can force them to work is when thier sentenced. The tvs, cards, the yard are required by law. The officers in the jail use these high life items to keep inmates busy. They have all day to think of ways to pull the next job. The airpark facility with "numerous escapees", these are inmates that were allowed to go to work and then failed to report back. If thier at airparck there min. security. ie drunks and those that do not pay thier child support. Thier not dangerous, thier lazy. Jail shouldn't be nice, but you also miss all the lawsuits filled for pore living conditions. You go to jail, you have more rights then on the street. When the jail has n escapee , I assume there will be alot of you asking how did that happen and what are they doing about it. The jail has never had an escapee, be thankfull. Corrections is a great job. Come down and apply. WE DEAL WITH THE PEOPLE YOU DON"T WANT IN YOUR LIFE. Its like being a cop without any firearms or weapons. Corrections use's nothing but verbal skills and somewhat of defensive tactics to deal with the inmates. They come in drunk, combative, mental issues, and we provide a safe place to live while waiting for court. GPS, do you have any idea how expensive this is. Thier in jail for robbing you blind, and now YOU are going to pay for monitoring there activities. If we allowed these inmates site in thier cell and go crazy, then release them into the community, who does this benifit. Its a neccessary evil. "

 D.A. wrote on October 25, 2006 7:52 pm:
" Why can't Nebraska law be like Arizona? Laws can be changed. AZ doesn't have standards for jails...a loser is a loser, doesn't matter what state they are locked up in....get rid of the "standards" and housing the losers becomes cheaper, less comfortable and quite likely - less crowded. The public would not demand a "standard" of comfort for people in jail...time in jail should be worse than any life on the "outside." "

 Matt Poulsen wrote on October 25, 2006 8:15 pm:
" To all you stating that prisoners "love to go jail to watch TV and play cards..etc", I would like to say get a grip!! First of all, this is a county jail not a state prison. There aren't CONVICTED murderers and rapists in the Lancaster county jail. No one who is serving more than 1 year will go to county jail, they go to state prison...different building. It is possible that someone who is ON TRIAL for murder or rape to be held in county jail, but I would remind you they are ON TRIAL and not convicted!! Next, although you may despise and hate all of these prisoners, who as mentioned above are spending less than a year in jail, I would like to remind you that they are human beings! You can't jam 6 in a cell and simply justify by saying "jail is suppose to be punishment". Also, if you think that being locked up in jail, TV or no TV, isn't punishment then you're dillusional! And finally, its not "thier" its spelled "their"!!! "

 To Da wrote on October 25, 2006 8:27 pm:
" Arizona is over pop now more then ever. Thier not doing anything right. Half the counties in Arizona have three to four jails in one county. Sure lets be like arizona and build another jail complex to house or losers. "

 aa wrote on October 25, 2006 8:41 pm:
" when did army start making you pay for food? unless your an Officer. And its "Their" not thier. "

 Matt Poulsen wrote on October 25, 2006 8:53 pm:
" I believe that if you do the time then you should do the time. However, I would also like to see some of the posters on this board speak of the prisoners with a little bit of decency! They have broke the law, but that does not mean they are, by default, "losers". Many are there for DWI, MIP, drug related offense (using not dealing), bad checks,...etc. Hmmm...I wonder how many people who have posted on this board have committed those crimes?? Some of the comments on this board absolutely disgust me. "

 Nothing better to do wrote on October 25, 2006 8:58 pm:
" nothing better to do, with all the problems the military has with their prison system, is this how Lancaster County wants to be like. Beating inmates, putting six of them in a cell and thinking all of them are coming out without injury. Get a brain, when your family member ends up in jail, you will be on the other side, why don't they have this and that . put a cork in it, there people. If families spent more time teaching their kids work ethics and respect, we wouldn't need a larger jail. What is the common age of inmates? "

 IMO wrote on October 25, 2006 9:23 pm:
" The current jail was built in the late 80's early 90's and has just been upgraded within the last year or two. I think whoever had the idea of using the current jail for courts and low risk prisoners and putting the rest in the new jail, where ever it may be built. "

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