Wednesday, June 23, 1999
Report dims chance of remodeled jail
Building not suitable is early assessment
BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
INDEPENDENCE — A preliminary report indicates the Kenton County Jail can't be remodeled as an alternative to building a new jail, Kenton County Judge-executive Dick Murgatroyd said Tuesday.
“The preliminary findings show the building, as it is, is not suitable to add any additional construction of the type we're looking at,” Mr. Murgatroyd said.
He said he expects to receive a final report from architects Glaser Associates of Cincinnati by the end of the month.
Because the county doesn't expect to receive the final report until next week, that effectively delays any decision on a new jail site for about three weeks, Mr. Murgatroyd said. County officials had previously hoped to announce a jail site by July 1.
“Now we're hoping to have all the information (needed to make a decision) by mid-July,” Mr. Murgatroyd said.
For the past year, Kenton County officials have been trying to decide where to build a new jail to replace the crowded, inefficient multistory facility in Covington.
In public hearings last month, most of the four proposed sites met with criticism from suburban residents and city officials.
While there has been talk of past studies showing that the courthouse at 303 Court St. cannot structurally handle more jail cells, Mr. Murgatroyd said the present county administration has not found an official report stating that.
“We never had a professional opinion saying we can or we can't build it there,” he said.
Cost will be a key factor in any decisions the fiscal court makes, Mr. Murgatroyd said.
Besides comparing the cost of the actual renovation to the cost of building on various sites, “the bottom line will be, How much will it cost to run it?” Mr. Murgatroyd said.
County officials are considering building a low-rise jail that would house 576 inmates by the year 2010.
The current jail, with an official capacity of 262 prisoners, costs about $5 million a year to operate.
That cost would likely double — if the county more than doubles the jail's capacity, Mr. Murgatroyd said.
Maternity costs, care vary widely
UC students feel pinch as tuition rises 5%
Lie lands wrong sister in hot water
Voinovich wants more Serbia aid
City considering Web site to show off neighborhoods
Donations, notoriety grow after robbery of 9-year-old
Bishop joins drive against casinos
Patton touts higher tax and casinos
Roof fund may be used for fountain restoration
Sculpture leaving Sixth and Vine
Seniors win city leaders' visit to housing
Wastewater site raises stink
GET TO IT
Help for a calm delivery
Study shows positive impact
Smog can induce asthma problems
'Titanic' will launch trendy Broadway Series
Gilligan talks to Descartes, and it's all in the name of art
Allen House to be senior center
Anderson issues cleanup order
Boone Co. passes budget $10 million higher than this year
Church roof caves; nobody injured
Clermont welfare plan a model
Coke contract to bring annual $400,000 to Ross Local Schools yearly
Convict can't be reindicted after assault victim dies
Despite drought, farmers aren't panicking just yet
Drugs can intensify effects of too much sun
Glen Rogers convicted in Calif. killing
Jacor target of sexual harassment lawsuit
Kenton to seek delay in car tests
Kids can get taste of gardening
Lebanon aims to reel in 180 more jobs
Lebanon hosts tour of gardens
Mason high school called a priority
N. College Hill seeks game plan for progress
Neighbors leery of pit-to-park plan
Report dims chance of remodeled jail
Restoration nears for Emery Theatre
Suicide in vehicle 2nd in Butler this month
Teen indicted in rape attempt, 50¢ robbery
TRISTATE DIGEST
Warren Co. tax enough to pay cash for new building
