Friday, March 12, 1999

Butler may not budge on jail

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BY STEVE KEMME
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        HAMILTON — Angry residents from a Fairfield Township neighborhood learned Thursday that Butler County officials will not easily change their plans to build a new county jail near their homes.

        County commissioners told about 25 residents who packed a meeting room that they understand their objections to the jail. But they said the county owned property at the top of a hill on Princeton Road is the least costly of all sites the county has considered.

        “The acquisition cost is zero, and there are no site preparation problems or environmental issues,” Commissioner Mike Fox said.

        The county wants to replace the existing county jail, which is deteriorating and overcrowded. It was built in 1971.

        Residents told commissioners that a jail built within a half-mile of their homes could create a safety problem and an eyesore and might lower property values.

        “What if a prisoner escaped?” said Kathy Storrie. “I have a 5-year-old, and he plays outside. It's just putting extra fear on me as a mother.”

        Steve Best, a member of a county advisory group that recommended the Princeton Road site, said the jail would be 1¹/₂ stories and would be hidden from view by a high berm, trees and bushes.

        Commissioners Thursday approved an application for $10.3 million in state funds for the new jail. The county identifies Princeton Road as the site of the jail.

        Commissioner Courtney Combs said the Princeton Road property is the county's currently preferred site for a new jail but is not necessarily the final choice.

       

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