thanks for the support - IIll try to figure out how to contact the county government administration.

I'm biased but I feel our proposal of a campus refurbishment would be one of the best decisions the county could make and be fiscally responsible with the taxpayer money not to mention likely add to those dollars with sale to developers (and addition to the skyline :)). I think it could be a win for everyone, even those who need a visit to the new justice center.

totally agree not to tear down the county courthouse building. It is one of the original OKC civic center buildings from the WPS era - we should renovate it but not tear it down. I also agree with Midtowner that we should co-locate all jail facilities (jail, criminal court, legal services, mental health and medical support, etc) all in the new highrise justice center that should be located IMO on the existing OK County campus (as Panda mentions - build it at the garage). Repeat - I also recommend tear down the admin building while we're at it and rebuild as a proper 12+ floor highrise.

Oklahoma County should do the right thing, modernize your campus and keep facilities together. Sell the current jail lands and building, use the proceeds and the bond moneys to redevelop the campus.

Please help me understand what are the "current jail lands and buildings"? I am aware of the current jail and the county courthouse properties. I don't what the Ok County campus is.

Well the airport land is officially off the table. Basically the airport said if we let you do this, it hinders our ability to get federal dollars for airports. And your in the way of our planned 3rd runway. No real surprises there.

And the NIMBY arguments have started for the alternate sites. No surprise there either.

Clock is ticking and, like normal, we don't seem to be able to get off our butts to make a decision on this jail. More push to get it taken over by the feds (which i dont think would happen) because no one seems interested in really taking this as a focus.

It's disappointing. It's not a sexy project. People don't like spending money on things like this. But it is necessary. These folks deserve to be treated like human beings. They may have made bad decisions or be caught in a nasty cycle, but that doesn't mean we can't treat them right while they are in the government's custody. What we have today, is not doing that. Think of this as a human rights issue for our own people HERE in OKC. We have work to do.

And because the county couldn't get off high center they are now in a time constraint situation for federal funds. We know that rushed decisions are bad decisions many times.

https://youtu.be/Zx06XNfDvk0?si=z_2ClG_hCS-e217a

We all know the perfect place for the new jail.

Back to the drawing board: Officials to consider at least 12 sites for new Oklahoma City jail

By: Kathryn McNutt//The Journal Record//December 18, 2023

The board of county commissioners will consider at least a dozen newly proposed locations for a new Oklahoma County jail when they meet Wednesday, Chairman Brian Maughan said.

The new proposed sites include 10 submitted by the city of Oklahoma City after the Federal Aviation Administration shot down plans to purchase land near Will Rogers World Airport last week.

Using that property to house a jail would hurt the airport’s chances of receiving future federal grants, the FAA stated in a letter to Jeff Mulder, Oklahoma City’s director of airports.

“The proposal to develop a jail facility is considered an institutional use, which is an incompatible land use due to noise sensitivity, concentrations of people and other impacts related to daytime and nighttime aircraft operations,” wrote Glenn A. Boles, manager of the FAA’s district office for airports in Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Action by the Oklahoma City Airport Trust and/or the city of Oklahoma City to change zoning to allow institutional use “would likely be considered a violation (of grant assurance), as well as affect consideration of future discretionary funding requests,” Boles wrote.

“Based on the response, the airport is no longer perusing this opportunity,” said Stacey Hamm, airport public information officer.

The county commissioners offered the Airport Trust $2.5 million in October to purchase approximately 50 acres near the airport for the new jail location.

After the receipt of the letter, Oklahoma City suggested 10 other properties, Maughan said. The commissioners will consider those and at least two other parcels submitted by members of the public when they meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

The current jail in downtown Oklahoma City has had multiple issues since it was built in 1991. Maughan said 70% of the problems come from “operating in a 13-story high rise, which is staff- and utility-intensive.”

The county began the search in January for land where a one-story jail could be built with the possibility of offices on a second floor. The current location is only 8 acres.

A minimum of 40 acres is needed, Maughan said. “My real vision was to go for something closer to 80 acres to allow for future growth.”

Two deadlines are growing nearer as the site search continues.

The plan calls for using $50 million in federal ARPA funding for a mental health facility as part of the project. All those funds must be encumbered by the end of 2024 and the facility completed by the end of 2026.

A second deadline involves the $260 million in bond funding voters approved for the new jail in June 2022. Maughan said the bonds were sold nearly one year ago and 85% of that money must be spent within three years of the sale.

“For the magnitude and size of the project, this is a pretty tight deadline,” Maughan said.

Once a site is acquired, design plans can move along without delay because the county already engaged the architectural firm HOK for preparatory work, he said.

Site considerations include the proximity of water and sewer lines and the distance from the county courthouse. Extending water and sewer infrastructure and transporting inmates long distances could be cost-prohibitive for some locations, Maughan said.

https://journalrecord.com/2023/12/back-to-the-drawing-board-commissioners-to-consider-new-jail-sites/

Are they saying it is limited to one story just so they are prevented from keeping it downtown?

It is not uncommon at all for jails to be more than one story....

Here is the County Jail in Olathe, KS. It is smaller than what we would need since we have a much greater incarceration rate. But just showing that the jail doesn't need to be some single-story sprawling compound.

18518

NW corner of 36th and Air Depot 300+ acres owned by OKC just north of the East Oak Landfill 9 miles and 15 min from the court house

there really is no better location

Not that we want it there, but why can't they build a new jail on the current site?

I’m going to write them and ask about locating downtown. I can’t understand why they won’t even consider it. It makes total sense.

I’m going to write them and ask about locating downtown. I can’t understand why they won’t even consider it. It makes total sense.

land cost .. . development hinderance ...

Not that we want it there, but why can't they build a new jail on the current site?

not large enough

land cost .. . development hinderance ...
Shouldn’t we think this is a public works project that seeks to improve our quality of life and paired with a renovation and transformation of the county court building. Build something we should be proud of. Yes a jail should fall under that. Some of those people probably deserve to rot and be executed perhaps but not everyone in there is a bad person and some may be innocent. It prevents the need for lengthy transport not only to and from jail/court but those who are released as well.

There’s also a lot of businesses already located by the jail like bondsman who are established there.

I don’t know how it could be done but once the new jail is built if downtown or wherever the county will still make money back by selling off the old jail site.

Shouldn’t we think this is a public works project that seeks to improve our quality of life

yes and moving it out of down town allows for that and lets them build the best facility possible with the budget they have ..

I’m going to write them and ask about locating downtown. I can’t understand why they won’t even consider it. It makes total sense.

Too much land the county can sell to developers. It’s plane and simple kinda like the whole “we don’t want that element down there” in regards to the old bus station. As of now the county is making excuses and it’s being stretched to new levels considering how they really chose a site without checking how it would affect the airport.

So the county will continue searching for a site while ignoring the elephant in the room that they already have the perfect site. It looks they might even be more than willing to lose out on federal funding than build a new jail on the current site.

not large enough

Don't want it here but what about the land that was accumulated by the NY? developers for apartments between Classen and Western south of 10th

NW corner of 36th and Air Depot 300+ acres owned by OKC just north of the East Oak Landfill 9 miles and 15 min from the court house

there really is no better location

Louder for the people in the back.

Louder for the people in the back.

Just an oddity, but the Google StreetView pictures along Air Depot Blvd in that area are 15yrs old.

Don't want it here but what about the land that was accumulated by the NY? developers for apartments between Classen and Western south of 10th

that is just over 4 acres they want 40 minimum (airport site was 50) with 80 being ideal ..... the current facility is 8

I don't really have a horse in the race but that 36th & Air Depot sounds pretty good. Why would OKC want a prominently-placed-for-public-viewing jailhouse? I'd think people would want a jail out of prominent view.

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/local/2024/01/09/oklahoma-county-jail-okc-new-locations-added-list-rockwell-mlk-avenue/72149748007/

Items of note:

Owners of two properties suggested by Oklahoma City to Oklahoma County as potential jail locations are interested in selling their land.

The agenda for the Board of County Commissioners' Wednesday meeting shows Jason Thomas is offering the county about 160 acres owned by TBP Holdings bordered by SW 74 on the north and Rockwell Avenue on the east as a potential location.

The other property, 42 acres just northwest of the intersection of Reno Avenue and Martin Luther King Avenue owned by Northcutt Jacob Properties Inc. is being offered by Sarah Strawn, the preliminary agenda shows.

That land, generally bordered by a creek that runs into the Oklahoma River on the west side of Bath Avenue, Reno Avenue on the south, railroad tracks on the north and N Martin Luther King Avenue on the east, has a truck wash, hotel and restaurant fronting Reno and Martin Luther King, a recycling facility that operates near the railroad tracks on its northwest side and an Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. substation on its west side as neighbors.

Up to 192 acres of land located between S Newcastle Road and SW 54 offered for sale by the Oklahoma City Airport Trust (though, Oklahoma City's Airport Trust on Dec. 21 rejected an offer from Oklahoma County to buy a portion of that land for $2.5 million). A 63 acre piece of land initially offered for sale for about $7.5 million near SE 29 and the Kickapoo Turnpike owned by Tsalagi Development. Up to 80 acres of land on the west side of Stockyards City, a location Commissioner Myles Davidson prefers.

it is complete political garbage that 36th and air depot is not on their list ..

Again the location at SW74th and Rockwell doesn't make any sense, why does the county want to cram this next to 2 other counties? I know this is NIMBY of me, but I shouldn't have to be concerned about another counties jail going in my backyard.

Its obvious that the county had this predetermined yo land in SW,SE or NE OKC. How bout the county put it off memorial or far NW OKC? Where are the social warriors when the south side is being crapped on consistently.

Its obvious that the county had this predetermined yo land in SW,SE or NE OKC. How bout the county put it off memorial or far NW OKC? Where are the social warriors when the south side is being crapped on consistently.

actually it looks like NE OKC is specifically excluded ..

Its obvious that the county had this predetermined yo land in SW,SE or NE OKC. How bout the county put it off memorial or far NW OKC? Where are the social warriors when the south side is being crapped on consistently.

It was obvious from day one to me that this would end up in the Southside of OKC.

I dont think its obvious at all about where it will go. They have wasted so much time "looking" that they're going to lose out on money for this. It's ridiculous that we didn't have a site 6 months after we had an agreement on moving forward. They shouldn't have needed more than 30 days to get the list down to 3 sites, then work in parallel to bid at the same time to see which one wins. We've wasted sooooooo much time here!!!

Looks like its going to end up at SW 74 on the north and Rockwell Avenue since they couldn't get airport site. The other sites on that list seem more like "alternatives". The one on Reno would make the most logistical sense, but that site is kind of small and I'm sure a lot of people have bigger dreams for that area once OKANA is built.

Looks like its going to end up at SW 74 on the north and Rockwell Avenue since they couldn't get airport site. The other sites on that list seem more like "alternatives". The one on Reno would make the most logistical sense, but that site is kind of small and I'm sure a lot of people have bigger dreams for that area once OKANA is built.

I just wrote several opposition emails/letters hoping this won't be the case. Again it's pretty tacky of Oklahoma county to cram this in the corner of the county by 2 other counties. Also because of it being on the west side of the airport, that means it hardly even affects Oklahoma County residents and is instead more of a nuisance to those living in Canadian and Cleveland counties. Completely unethical in my opinion.

I just wrote several opposition emails/letters hoping this won't be the case. Again it's pretty tacky of Oklahoma county to cram this in the corner of the county by 2 other counties. Also because of it being on the west side of the airport, that means it hardly even affects Oklahoma County residents and is instead more of a nuisance to those living in Canadian and Cleveland counties. Completely unethical in my opinion.

True, of course this has been happening ever since people started drawing lines across the ground and saying "this is my land, I do what I want". I don't know if anything can be done about it.

I just wrote several opposition emails/letters hoping this won't be the case. Again it's pretty tacky of Oklahoma county to cram this in the corner of the county by 2 other counties. Also because of it being on the west side of the airport, that means it hardly even affects Oklahoma County residents and is instead more of a nuisance to those living in Canadian and Cleveland counties. Completely unethical in my opinion.

seems like a great idea for a County to actually put its residents first .. (which of course is its job ) .

that being said .. that is not the best location .. but it is better then stockyards or reno and mlk

seems like a great idea for a County to actually put its residents first .. (which of course is its job ) .

that being said .. that is not the best location .. but it is better then stockyards or reno and mlk

I agree it would be a nice thing if the county was putting their residents first, but unfortunately my guess is that's their last concern.

This has been a difficult to get a hold of anyone that cares. I've emailed my my county commissioner, OKC ward rep, Jon Echols (he's a neighbor and I'm in his district), the mayor, and all of the Oklahoma county commissioners. So far everyone but the commissioners is just telling me it's not their problem and to contact the commissioners. I'm just not sure how serious the Oklahoma county ones are going to take me since I don't live 1 mile in their county even though their counties actions could impact me.

^^^^ they don’t even listen to their own constituents. You think they’ll listen to you lol. I agree. This is a very stupid place to put the jail. I would rather go with Boulder Sooners preference than here.

^^^^ they don’t even listen to their own constituents. You think they’ll listen to you lol. I agree. This is a very stupid place to put the jail. I would rather go with Boulder Sooners preference than here.

Oh I had very little faith but at the same time democracy only works if you participate. So at the very least I’m going to put my 2 cents in because maybe everyone else thinks the same way and doesn’t send in an opinion. Then they’ll at least have mine to read.

Oh I had very little faith but at the same time democracy only works if you participate. So at the very least I’m going to put my 2 cents in because maybe everyone else thinks the same way and doesn’t send in an opinion. Then they’ll at least have mine to read.
I still need to write to them my proposal which I’m sure by now everyone here knows.

Did they decide on a location yet?

Did they decide on a location yet?

Not yet but they are getting closer. They have hired a property management company to assist them with bids and one of the commissioners wants to buy a parcel near Stockyards which is probably the best option.

Not yet but they are getting closer. They have hired a property management company to assist them with bids and one of the commissioners wants to buy a parcel near Stockyards which is probably the best option.

that is a terrible option maybe the worst of all ..

that is a terrible option maybe the worst of all ..

if you dont ever go to the southside you dont ever care about the southside. That's the case probably for 80% of this forum's users.

Not to mention that no one in the stockyards is actually selling land according to an article ive read. They like the stockyards option because its county land and they can control the zoning without having to go through the city

if you dont ever go to the southside you dont ever care about the southside. That's the case probably for 80% of this forum's users.

Not to mention that no one in the stockyards is actually selling land according to an article ive read. They like the stockyards option because its county land and they can control the zoning without having to go through the city

yep ..

if you dont ever go to the southside you dont ever care about the southside. That's the case probably for 80% of this forum's users.

Not to mention that no one in the stockyards is actually selling land according to an article ive read. They like the stockyards option because its county land and they can control the zoning without having to go through the city

Louder for the people at the back!

Why not just build it in Edmond.

Why not just build it in Edmond.

Probably not with the height restrictions.

Probably not with the height restrictions.

New jail is pitched as a single story facility.

Probably not with the height restrictions.

What height restriction?

New jail is pitched as a single story facility.

I haven’t been super active on this thread so I was unaware lol. I figured they would build a facility with similar height to the current one.

What height restriction?

You can’t build tall in Edmond. But obviously that’s not relevant if it’s a one story facility.

You can’t build tall in Edmond. But obviously that’s not relevant if it’s a one story facility.

I'm pretty sure you can't also build center turn lanes, timed stop lights, and commercial signs over 6 feet tall in Edmond. :wink:

The only place to really put something like that would be east Edmond or far north Edmond, there isn't any really any space in west Edmond. Both, from a logistics stand point of serving the county, it seems it would create a lot of extra driving when the population center is further south and west.

Geographically, the center of the county is near NE 63rd and Air Depot, but not the population center.

If OKC Police pick someone up in Canadian or Cleveland county are they still transferred to Oklahoma County Jail? Same thing goes for Yukon or a place like Piedmont Police, is the person transferred to OK County downtown or all the way out to the county jail in El Reno?

I'm pretty sure you can't also build center turn lanes, timed stop lights, and commercial signs over 6 feet tall in Edmond. :wink:

The only place to really put something like that would be east Edmond or far north Edmond, there isn't any really any space in west Edmond. Both, from a logistics stand point of serving the county, it seems it would create a lot of extra driving when the population center is further south and west.

Geographically, the center of the county is near NE 63rd and Air Depot, but not the population center.

If OKC Police pick someone up in Canadian or Cleveland county are they still transferred to Oklahoma County Jail? Same thing goes for Yukon or a place like Piedmont Police, is the person transferred to OK County downtown or all the way out to the county jail in El Reno?

I think it is a matter of what they are being arrested for. If it is a city crime, then the city jail would be where they are held (Piedmont, Yukon). Although I gotta admit I have no idea if Piedmont has their own jail, Yukon does. However, OKC does not have a jail of it's own, so they have contracted to use Oklahoma County jail. I recall The Village contracts with Midwest City to use their jail.

Clear as mud?

You can’t build tall in Edmond. But obviously that’s not relevant if it’s a one story facility.

There are several mid rises in downtown Edmond.

There are several mid rises in downtown Edmond.

Right, but you can’t build above 5 stories.

Right, but you can’t build above 5 stories.

So, I wonder how they got the 8 story across from UCO approved. LOL. Or the 6 story Hilton Garden, or...

Are you aware of any designs that have been rejected due to general height restrictions in Edmond? I've looked at the codes and can't find any restrictions and unaware of anyone applying for high rise structure building permits.

Right, but you can’t build above 5 stories.

How about that huge cross on 35

I’m basing that off of a conversation I had with a mutual friend, a city leader, who said the hope is for the UCO Central Plaza (the 8 story mentioned above) to remain the tallest in Edmond since they don’t approve structures above 5 stories to keep the “small town charm.” I guess the Hilton was the the exception since it’s the hotel connected to the city’s own convention center. It’s also far north, away from central Edmond. But also if the jail facility is one story then it really doesn’t matter.

I was just trying to add a thought as we discussed the likelihood, not make up some argument so I apologize lol! Maybe it could get built in Edmond?

...Edmond since they don’t approve structures above 5 stories to keep the “small town charm.” ... Maybe it could get built in Edmond?

Edmond is the 5th largest city in the state, it is either just under or may have just surpassed the 100,000 population mark this past year in the city limits (not including the thousands that live in far north west OKC, "Fake Edmond" that eat, shop, and dine in Edmond city limits). The city/city leaders need to start embracing the size of the city and reflect infrastructure to serve it.

If a county jail is built in Edmond city limits it would have to probably be built out on I-35 for ease of access, or on the far south side to have access to Broadway Extension and the Turnpike other wise it would seem extremely inefficient.

Edmond is the 5th largest city in the state, it is either just under or may have just surpassed the 100,000 population mark this past year in the city limits (not including the thousands that live in far north west OKC, "Fake Edmond" that eat, shop, and dine in Edmond city limits). The city/city leaders need to start embracing the size of the city and reflect infrastructure to serve it.

If a county jail is built in Edmond city limits it would have to probably be built out on I-35 for ease of access, or on the far south side to have access to Broadway Extension and the Turnpike other wise it would seem extremely inefficient.

Absolutely!! It’s crazy to me how often I hear residents refer to Edmond as a “small town.” I think people’s view of the city would change with 100,000 resident-appropriate infrastructure. They’ve definitely been making some efforts in the past few years.

I think the idea of this getting built in Edmond is not bad, I’m not opposed.

I’m basing that off of a conversation I had with a mutual friend, a city leader, who said the hope is for the UCO Central Plaza (the 8 story mentioned above) to remain the tallest in Edmond since they don’t approve structures above 5 stories to keep the “small town charm.” I guess the Hilton was the the exception since it’s the hotel connected to the city’s own convention center. It’s also far north, away from central Edmond. But also if the jail facility is one story then it really doesn’t matter.

I was just trying to add a thought as we discussed the likelihood, not make up some argument so I apologize lol! Maybe it could get built in Edmond?
It’s just that posters tend to post all sorts of misinformation about Edmond. Most of it caricatures.

Why not just build it in Edmond.

It would be better south of I-40

You can’t build tall in Edmond. But obviously that’s not relevant if it’s a one story facility.

this is simply not true

How about that huge cross on 35

Imagine all of the churches in Edmond having a competition to build the tallest cross in Edmond. That would be fun to watch.