Grand jury supports
new jail By MONROE
ROARK
Staff Writer
Proponents
of a new expanded jail in Fayette County now have
one more weapon in their arsenal.
The
grand jury included in its presentments after
convening last week a recommendation to the
Fayette County Commissioners to begin
construction of a new jail as soon as
possible, according to court records.
Sheriff
Randall Johnson addressed the Grand Jury
concerning the overcrowding conditions that exist
in the present jail, the presentments
stated. Sheriff Johnson further stated that
if the conditions in the jail are not addressed
in a timely fashion, he fears the county may be
required to build the jail under federal
mandate.
The
jail was the only issue covered in last week's
grand jury presentments, which are printed in the
county's legal organ and distributed to all
elected county officials.
County
commissioners currently are in the planning phase
of doing exactly as the Grand Jury recommended.
The
group is pondering funding options for a $60
million project including additions and
renovations to the current jail, plus a new
courthouse complex, on about 65 acres of
county-owned property between Jimmie Mayfield
Boulevard and Lee Street in downtown
Fayetteville.
Reactions
from city residents have included everything from
concern to outright opposition, and some
homeowners associations in the area have taken
formal action to oppose enlargement of the jail.
But
Sheriff's Department officials over the last five
years have made clear their contention that a new
jail is needed, and that next door to the
courthouse is the best place to put it.
Commissioners
will continue their discussions of funding
options at their monthly work session Dec. 1.
The
county's governing body also is considering
conducting public information meetings in the
near future, to present detailed plans for the
jail to the public and solicit comment.
|