Blair County Advances in Prison Site Selection Process

Blair County commissioners are making significant strides in their quest to establish a new prison facility, having initiated preliminary steps to acquire a suitable property.

 

"We've identified a potential site and are currently navigating the acquisition process," stated Commissioner David Kessling during a recent meeting. He refrained from disclosing the exact location, emphasizing the need for confidentiality until the purchase is finalized.

 

The property owner has verbally expressed willingness to sell, yet the process has encountered unexpected delays. "For some reason, this is taking longer than we expected, so we're trying to push that," Kessling noted.

 

Commissioner Amy Webster highlighted that the landowner's internal approval procedures have contributed to the extended timeline. "They're a very large corporation, they have properties for sale, it goes along at whatever pace and they have to get their board of directors together and make decisions on different things," she explained.

 

Despite sending a letter of intent earlier this fall, the county awaits the corporation's formal response to proceed with the purchase agreement.

 

Securing access for preliminary environmental impact studies has also been challenging. The county requested permission in October or November but has yet to receive approval. Webster stressed the importance of these studies, as potential environmental issues could deem the land unsuitable, potentially resetting the search process.

 

Kessling expressed a desire to share more details but emphasized the necessity of finalizing the sale first. "We're not trying to hide anything. It's simply until that occurs, we can't say anything," he stated.

 

The state Department of Environmental Protection offers programs to assist with the cleanup and development of previously contaminated sites, known as brownfield sites. State Senator Judy Ward has offered support in navigating this process. "We're not saying there is any, and we hope there isn't any, but depending on what the environmental issue is, her office has indicated she could release funds to help us mitigate that if possible," Kessling mentioned.

 

As the county continues its efforts, the community remains attentive to developments regarding the new prison facility.