BC 2005 12 19 REGULAR - Laserfiche WebLink

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December 19, 2005 - Regular Meeting Page 434 Alex Porter, resident of 193 South Union Street, stated that Citizens for a Better Concord (CBC) were in no way leveling any criticism at Sheriff Riley or his department. Mr. Porter stated the CBC was not "anti-jail" and had endorsed a 200-250 bed jail on Corban Avenue along with the Sheriff's Department. He supported the Board's decision to house some of the prisoners elsewhere during the jail construction and suggested the use of technology to address some of the court issues. Mr. Porter asked that the Board find a 100- year site for a 50-year jail and questioned how the Board can plan 50 years in the future for a new jail when the existing jail cannot be expanded as originally planned. Finally, he presented an additional 219 names to the previously submitted petition for a total of 960 names. Margaret Cannon West, resident of North Union Street, expressed concerns about the size of the proposed jail and its adverse impact on historic downtown Concord. She objected to the two six-floor housing units due to their proximity and incompatibility with the adjacent residential area off Washington Lane, Union Street, Virginia Avenue and Louise Drive. Ms. West also stated there was plenty of mill history in the area and a \\mill-like" facility was not needed at the southern end of the Concord business district. Brad Barnett of 338 Eastover Drive in Concord stated it had been fiscally irresponsible for the County to have spent funds for land acquisition and project design prior to obtaining the basic prerequisite conditions such as the zoning and conditional use permits. However, he said the $4.6 million would not be lost as the architectural input, the design and construction preplanning would be transferable to any site chosen in the future. Also, he stated the land acquisition costs could be recouped by selling the land to downtown developers. Finally, he stated it was an error in judgment, not a crime, that had been made and it would be only for pride to continue the same path while ignoring the many voices of reason. Ed Eubanks, resident of 339 Union Street South, stated he owns a two- story house on Washington Lane and also represents other residents whose property abuts the new jail site. He used a visual aid to show the future view of the two housing units from his back window. Stating he bought the property in 2004 with the understanding there would be a jail/law enforcement center, Mr. Eubanks said he had no idea that the two housing units or ~monstrosities" would be added to the project. He said he was a NIMBY or ~not in my back yard" because he does not want 1,000 criminals in his backyard. Further, Mr. Eubanks complained that the County was destroying the value of the neighborhood and asked that the Board move the jail housing units out of downtown Concord. Frances Gallimore of 166 Union Street South stated she lived across the street from the future second housing building and that her house was for sale. Also, she said she was working on a study of downtown jails in North Carolina and will share that information with the Board when completed. She encouraged the Board to reconsider the jail project and not build it in anybody's backyard. Patrick Quinn of 166 Union Street South stated he agreed with many of the comments made by previous speakers and he supported the proposal presented by the Citizens for a Better Concord. He presented a number of potential alternatives for putting people in jail, including a pre-release program, drug court, Mental Health Jail Diversion Program, Intensive Outpatient Program through the Criminal Justice Partnership Program and video court. Allison Kitfield, resident of 192 North Union Street, stated those persons opposing the huge jail proj ect know there is already a j ail in downtown Concord. However, she stated the proposed housing facilities would more than quadruple the present inmate population as well as the number of inmates that will be discharged into the downtown area in close proximity to homes and schools. She expressed concern about the potential impact on safety of the children, preschoolers and women in the downtown area, including such facilities as churches, library, businesses and schools. Ms. Kitfield asked why the possibility of locating the jail in a more remote, non-residential location was never given serious consideration. Alan Bartnik, resident of 113 Union Street North and Board member of Residents of Historic Concord (RHC) , stated that RHC wished to clarify their position on the jail project through the following resolution: December 14, 2005