what are the details of the three options? Locations? Renderings? Probably important to know before voting (@ you, Daily Oklahoman). I tend to agree with the citizen who stated the need for a mental health facility and a revamp of the jail.

This is something congress started a few years ago (wiping away funds for mental health) and we have been dealing with that decision nation wide over the recent years (mostly, homelessness and assaults at the highest levels ever), yet nobody will bring this up to the current administration as the needed fix. You can't fix someone in a mental state by throwing them in jail, that only aggrevates the problem that we see inside the jail (killings, attacks, etc). Mental health patients need special facilities because they're PATIENTS, and I assure you if national funding were restored the problems we see with homelessness and attacks will return to levels that cities/counties can better deal with.

They are trying to use thr mental health side to get MAPS funds. If they have a legit mental health facility on site, I am more than ok with them getting MAPS funds.

If not, then maybe extending a county tax a couple more years will be worth it (not raising a new tax, but extending).

Right by the river? Serously?

I'd say move it away from downtown. Either somewhere between downtown and the fair grounds or farther away.

Its my understanding they have to be within so many minutes from the county courthouse for arraignments, etc. Its secluded enough to not be highly visible, with limited access in and out, and room for expansion.

Its my understanding they have to be within so many minutes from the county courthouse for arraignments, etc. Its secluded enough to not be highly visible, with limited access in and out, and room for expansion.

This has been addressed in this thread and debunked. There is no such requirement. They could put it north of Memorial Road if they wanted. Now, I’m sure some lawyers and other city/county officials would appreciate the convenience of it being within a certain time distance and therefore have made a recommendation for such a distance, but it is not a requirement.

I would not be surprised if it were in eastern OKC.

I think they should put it on the old land fill at NW 10th & Villa. That is my back yard and I am serious. A quick shot down General Pershing/Main will get them easily back and forth from the Police station and courthouse.

I think they should put it on the old land fill at NW 10th & Villa. That is my back yard and I am serious. A quick shot down General Pershing/Main will get them easily back and forth from the Police station and courthouse.

That location is also very close to a new mental health treatment complex on General Pershing, which is already doing a lot of jail diversion work. But it’s also close to the new elementary school, which will cause concern among parents.

That location is also very close to a new mental health treatment complex on General Pershing, which is already doing a lot of jail diversion work. But it’s also close to the new elementary school, which will cause concern among parents.

If you can't put a grow facility (non retail distributor) at Crossroads Mall--because of school concerns, don't look for a county jail to succeed, where there is a mental heath facility like North Care (2617 General Pershing Boulevard) that distributes medication on a daily basis to mental health patients to keep them from overdosing. Visit the area, nice facilities in the area.

Note: North Care Health facility IIRC was there long before ASTEC 2600 General Pershing Boulevard (elementary school) was built.

They don't have a site location. My best guess would be if the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium is built on the 100 acre OKANA site then that leaves the potential sites where the stadium was going to be considered available for the new Oklahoma County jail site:


Farmers Market- West of Classen and just north of I-40
Wheeler Park- Currently owned by the city
Producers Coop- Just south of Bricktown.

The City completely remodeled Wiley Post Park a block from Wheeler Park with plans to remodel Wheeler Park. That leaves the Farmers Market - West of Classen and just north of I-40 as a potential site.

We know what they are asking for the Producers Coop site per acre, so that leaves the Farmers Market site off I-40 & Classen since it's closer to the Oklahoma County Courthouse at 320 Robert S. Kerr Avenue. There's land surrounding the OKANA site owned by The City that may also be suitable for building the county jail.

The Farmers Market site seems more feasible.

Never going to happen, the city and county aren't going to waste those important sites with a new jail.


I had suggested the old Pull-A-Part site. Its close and away enough from downtown if that makes sense. And in a isolated area.

And same thing for this.

Never going to happen, the city and county aren't going to waste those important sites with a new jail.


Important sites... ...How important is having a new jail?

If you don't find somewhere to build a new county jail--deal with the lawsuits that will result from
having an inadequate facility; that alone could cost you more than what it will cost to build a new county jail.

You think a judge is going to be sympathetic to the City-County when you've had problems with this jail since it was
opened in the 90s, 30 years of inadequate housing leading to turmoil.

Important sites... ...How important is having a new jail?

If you don't find somewhere to build a new county jail--deal with the lawsuits that will result from
having an inadequate facility; that alone could cost you more than what it will cost to build a new county jail.

You think a judge is going to be sympathetic to the City-County when you've had problems with this jail since it was
opened in the 90s, 30 years of inadequate housing leading to turmoil.

Eventually, it'll be turned over to the Justice Department and they'd decide how much the Oklahoma County taxpayers would pay for a new jail.

Eventually, it'll be turned over to the Justice Department and they'd decide how much the Oklahoma County taxpayers would pay for a new jail.

So true.

That's the last thing you want is the U. S. Department of Justice to decide on a new county jail; because the Justice Department isn't going to be concerned with costs. The new county jail tax payers tab could rise somewhere above $400 million. They'll address the previous inadequacies... ...will focus on the jailed inadequate history.

Important sites... ...How important is having a new jail?

If you don't find somewhere to build a new county jail--deal with the lawsuits that will result from
having an inadequate facility; that alone could cost you more than what it will cost to build a new county jail.

You think a judge is going to be sympathetic to the City-County when you've had problems with this jail since it was
opened in the 90s, 30 years of inadequate housing leading to turmoil.

None of that matters for site location, the city and county aren't going to put a jail on close to downtown locations that will be far better suited for actual developments in time, and the Chickasaw would cry bloody murder if they tried to put it next to the shiny new museum and resort. It's going to be out further from the core on crappy land that nobody wants for anything else.

None of that matters for site location, the city and county aren't going to put a jail on close to downtown locations that will be far better suited for actual developments in time, and the Chickasaw would cry bloody murder if they tried to put it next to the shiny new museum and resort. It's going to be out further from the core on crappy land that nobody wants for anything else.

Recall seeing a similar plan years before they built the current county jail downtown. The location was off I-40 close to Yukon, the facility was about 4 stories .

If you can't put a grow facility (non retail distributor) at Crossroads Mall--because of school concerns, don't look for a county jail to succeed, where there is a mental heath facility like North Care (2617 General Pershing Boulevard) that distributes medication on a daily basis to mental health patients to keep them from overdosing. Visit the area, nice facilities in the area.

Note: North Care Health facility IIRC was there long before ASTEC 2600 General Pershing Boulevard (elementary school) was built.

Great idea! We should put it in cross roads mall! Lol

Somewhere out in Choctaw / Harrah, on the east side of tinker, west of will rogers, near luther, somewhere on the new turnpike out east all make way more sense than any of the locations recently proposed. Those are much to valuable for something like a jail. If you want some where closer then why not somewhere like 36th and sooner road. Its across the street from a landfill, the city owns large parcels of land and the sheriff already has a presence there .

Eventually, it'll be turned over to the Justice Department and they'd decide how much the Oklahoma County taxpayers would pay for a new jail.

that has been a threat for a long long time ....

has it ever happened anywhere??

If you want some where closer then why not somewhere like 36th and sooner road. Its across the street from a landfill, the city owns large parcels of land and the sheriff already has a presence there .

yep this location makes a ton of sense

that has been a threat for a long long time ....

has it ever happened anywhere??

Um, yes. Here.

Federal Courts oversaw the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for almost 20 years until 2001.
https://tulsaworld.com/archives/only-in-oklahoma-big-mac-prison-riot-cost-lives-millions/article_f5ea71c1-1dda-597f-ac9f-d16b22e257e5.html

that has been a threat for a long long time ....

has it ever happened anywhere??

Yes. You can Google it. I have to visit folks at the jail from time to time in my professional capacity. I've been to other jails in the State. The Oklahoma County Jail is in deplorable condition, and the people living there are subjected to inhumane living conditions which you can really see taking their toll in real time. The conditions in the jail shouldn't be so bad that innocent people take pleas because the conditions at DOC are much less likely to kill them.

Um, yes. Here.

Federal Courts oversaw the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for almost 20 years until 2001.
https://tulsaworld.com/archives/only-in-oklahoma-big-mac-prison-riot-cost-lives-millions/article_f5ea71c1-1dda-597f-ac9f-d16b22e257e5.html


Yes. You can Google it. I have to visit folks at the jail from time to time in my professional capacity. I've been to other jails in the State. The Oklahoma County Jail is in deplorable condition, and the people living there are subjected to inhumane living conditions which you can really see taking their toll in real time. The conditions in the jail shouldn't be so bad that innocent people take pleas because the conditions at DOC are much less likely to kill them.

as in forced funding of a new jail .. .ie forced an expense on citizens .. with out a public vote?

as in forced funding of a new jail .. .ie forced an expense on citizens .. with out a public vote?

Yes, as a result of the lawsuit OSP was basically completely rebuilt with new housing units and the older sections of the prison closed.

what about if we kept with the tradition of other major cities and built the new jail at the site of part of a current parking garage just North of the Oklahoma County low-rise office building? That would add density to the local area while also keeping the jail close to the courthouse (even closer than it is today).

While we're at it, could the current jail be repurposed for Oklahoma County offices? That might open up the low-rise office building for development as well.

The OKC Chamber of Commerce has announced they support a new measure to build a new county jail facility: https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/inside-okc/campaign-announced-to-support-county-jail-initiative/

as in forced funding of a new jail .. .ie forced an expense on citizens .. with out a public vote?

That’s what happens when you have corruption and incompetence at a local level. The adults have to come in and force changes.

And we have a say by voting in good stewards. The voting public is the first on the chain of blame. They just want to act outraged after the fact as it’s easier than being informed before hand and advocating for competent ethical candidates.

So is it a good idea for the bond issue to pass and get a new jail finally built, but without significant criminal justice reform (and still having the current jail trust oversee things) or should we vote "no" and eventually have the feds come in and take it over and have who-knows-what happen? Been reading articles about it and both sides have valid points...

BTW, ninth death of 2022 just happened in there (suicide).

So is it a good idea for the bond issue to pass and get a new jail finally built, but without significant criminal justice reform (and still having the current jail trust oversee things) or should we vote "no" and eventually have the feds come in and take it over and have who-knows-what happen? Been reading articles about it and both sides have valid points...

BTW, ninth death of 2022 just happened in there (suicide).

Definitely not let the feds take it. I'll be voting yes for a new jail.

BTW, ninth death of 2022 just happened in there (suicide).

For reference Rikers Island has had 7 deaths so far this year. Rikers has a capacity of 20,000 while the Oklahoma County Jail has a capacity of 2,950.

For reference Rikers Island has had 7 deaths so far this year. Rikers has a capacity of 20,000 while the Oklahoma County Jail has a capacity of 2,950.

Yeah, *everything* is so wrong with our current jail *and* system, we need to fix both desperately. I'm all for a new jail (and criminal justice reform), but not sure if bonds are the best way to pay for it (since the cost could get really high with interest payments, depending on the rate). I'm also not completely sure what we'd get - are plans drawn up for what would actually be built and how it would function or is that just "to be determined" once they get the money?

^That's why I'll be voting no. The ballot language authorizes bonds at as much as 10% interest. That's nearly DOUBLE what municipal bonds are going for right now. I don't deny that the billionaire class should make some ROI, but I wish the County Commissioners who voted for this would have at least made an attempt to get the taxpayers a fair deal.

^That's why I'll be voting no. The ballot language authorizes bonds at as much as 10% interest. That's nearly DOUBLE what municipal bonds are going for right now. I don't deny that the billionaire class should make some ROI, but I wish the County Commissioners who voted for this would have at least made an attempt to get the taxpayers a fair deal.

Proponents say that the rate will be more like 4-5%, but how can we trust that it will actually be around that rate? Even if it's at 4-5%, some have said that it will most likely end up being ~$600 million after it's all said and done.

If the DOJ takes over then they will full control over all the jail finances. We will owe the bills, but have zero control.

Proponents say that the rate will be more like 4-5%, but how can we trust that it will actually be around that rate? Even if it's at 4-5%, some have said that it will most likely end up being ~$600 million after it's all said and done.

I'm not against a new jail building, but you can't trust them when they say 4-5%. I'm involved in long-term government/corporate bond issuances, and we are seeing rates approaching 5% for issuances in the past 30 days. Those very same type of issuances were going for 2.5% back in December. It takes months to package and market bond deals. I think 7% is a best case scenario if they issue 3-6 months from now. But I'm just a guy on the internet.

Proponents say that the rate will be more like 4-5%, but how can we trust that it will actually be around that rate? Even if it's at 4-5%, some have said that it will most likely end up being ~$600 million after it's all said and done.

Then proponents can send the measure out with a 4-5% ceiling on the rates. That is beyond ridiculous for anyone in this economy to earn 10% on an investment and have it be tax free.

We definitely need a new jail. Just hope they have chronicled the flaws of the previous structure with plans to avoid the pitfalls that made the county jail become a death sentence for those incarcerated.

Years ago back in late 1980s: I gave my brother a vehicle. Before we could get it transferred; he received a parking ticket he swore to me he never saw it on his windshield. Well, the car was in my name, I had just moved from my previous address; before I could get things straightened out I found myself in that same mammoth hotel-like structure. Took 2 1/2 days before my family knew I was missing and thought to check the jail. You can't post your own bond--had more than $200.00 cash on me at the time.

You're asked to strip down and bend over while they spray you with some kind of chemical that smell like something you would spray on a rose bush. You're given an orange jump suite and some flip flop clog style sandals. Gives you a feeling of being degraded as a human being. Don't waste your time explaining what happened; you may as well be talking to a ground mole.

Won't bore you with the crap I witnessed a night that made me sick to my stomach... ...Thank God when I heard them call my name and I was able to breath the outside air.

Kept thinking how blessed I was, I had no appetite for the stale food they served (a days old 3" stale sweet roll--looked like something Brown's Bakery thrown out, a small carton of orange juice for breakfast), Dinner was a TV-dinner on a tray with mixed veggies and a piece of chicken--looked it it was fried in lard. I lost 8 lbs, took cat naps because I felt uncomfortable with the creeps in my cell. The beds were a wired contraption much like a hammock.

You do what you have to do to survive. Yes, and about that phone call, the person receiving it can't make out who's calling--maybe it was designed that way.

There's no privacy in your cell; an open commode with no top or partitions for privacy; so if you had to do the #2 you had to stand over the stool like a cow.

Well anyway, I was finally bonded out by my brother who became concerned and called the jail. 'Yes, he's here on an unpaid parking ticket.'

This is total BS, wasn't offered an OR bond or anything of that matter. It's pure hell in there, cold at night, you smell other inmates who smell like rotten feet and urine. Luckily I didn't fall into despair, anxiety or depression. Was taught at an early age to stay observant at all times.

Understand, we have to incarcerate people--it shouldn't have to lead to a death sentence.

Let's make sure the new jail is something that discourages inmates from becoming suicidal and giving up on life.

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/704b42_0db8dba9f20e486c8f75624a16995214~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_560,h_560,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/FIX%20OUR%20JAIL%20LOGO%202022_final_square-01.jpg

We definitely need a new jail. Just hope they have chronicled the flaws of the previous structure with plans to avoid the pitfalls that made the county jail become a death sentence for those incarcerated.

Years ago back in late 1980s: I gave my brother a vehicle. Before we could get it transferred; he received a parking ticket he swore to me he never saw it on his windshield. Well, the car was in my name, I had just moved from my previous address; before I could get things straightened out I found myself in that same mammoth hotel-like structure. Took 2 1/2 days before my family knew I was missing and thought to check the jail. You can't post your own bond--had more than $200.00 cash on me at the time.

You're asked to strip down and bend over while they spray you with some kind of chemical that smell like something you would spray on a rose bush. You're given an orange jump suite and some flip flop clog style sandals. Gives you a feeling of being degraded as a human being. Don't waste your time explaining what happened; you may as well be talking to a ground mole.

Won't bore you with the crap I witnessed a night that made me sick to my stomach... ...Thank God when I heard them call my name and I was able to breath the outside air.

Kept thinking how blessed I was, I had no appetite for the stale food they served (a days old 3" stale sweet roll--looked like something Brown's Bakery thrown out, a small carton of orange juice for breakfast), Dinner was a TV-dinner on a tray with mixed veggies and a piece of chicken--looked it it was fried in lard. I lost 8 lbs, took cat naps because I felt uncomfortable with the creeps in my cell. The beds were a wired contraption much like a hammock.

You do what you have to do to survive. Yes, and about that phone call, the person receiving it can't make out who's calling--maybe it was designed that way.

There's no privacy in your cell; an open commode with no top or partitions for privacy; so if you had to do the #2 you had to stand over the stool like a cow.

Well anyway, I was finally bonded out by my brother who became concerned and called the jail. 'Yes, he's here on an unpaid parking ticket.'

This is total BS, wasn't offered an OR bond or anything of that matter. It's pure hell in there, cold at night, you smell other inmates who smell like rotten feet and urine. Luckily I didn't fall into despair, anxiety or depression. Was taught at an early age to stay observant at all times.

Understand, we have to incarcerate people--it shouldn't have to lead to a death sentence.

Let's make sure the new jail is something that discourages inmates from becoming suicidal and giving up on life.

Sorry Laramie, that's just so wrong. Jailed on a parking ticket? Good lord, I can't imagine.

Also, I have to ask, aren't you black? I thought you had said that in the past. If so, you have to wonder if you would have been given a pass if not. Hopefully things have changed some in the years since.

Then proponents can send the measure out with a 4-5% ceiling on the rates. That is beyond ridiculous for anyone in this economy to earn 10% on an investment and have it be tax free.

I believe Oklahoma City has a AAA muni bond rating which is rare. The interest rate should likely be the lowest available rate because of that rating and very high demand for bonds of that quality.

Mid, the issuer of muni bonds has no control over the rate at which they are issued.

Depending on how the deal is written, bonds can be issued at multiple rates with different maturities.

If the market percieves a recession on the horizon, which is very possible, the bond yield curve may invert (start higher for shorter maturities, then decline with longer-term maturities).

Bond yields are driven at the bond auction at whatever the market rate is.

The language of a10% cap is there so if the fed goes wild with rate hikes, the city can opt out of the issuance. That is prudent and normal for such deals. There is virtually no possibility of "shenanigans" on a deal like this for a large city.

Sorry Laramie, that's just so wrong. Jailed on a parking ticket? Good lord, I can't imagine.

Also, I have to ask, aren't you black? I thought you had said that in the past. If so, you have to wonder if you would have been given a pass if not. Hopefully things have changed some in the years since.

Father black, mother Latino. Don't want to say there was discrimination from any angle. It was so unfortunate for me that IIRC was a $3.00 parking ticket grew (unpaid) to a warrant for my arrest. My faith in God helped me thru this ordeal because I knew this 'challenge' would pass.

This timing of my relocation and getting my mailing address corrected led to this untimely notice they sent to my old address. Reimbursed my brother for the bail money/fees & fines he had to put up.

Had AAA Auto Club Service, for some reason they didn't cover the bail at the time nor did they attempt to contact me after I called and left several recorded attempts for them to cover it. Felt this was road related; however they didn't see it that way.

Oh well, chalk it up as an experience. Experienced the inside operations of a jail--it was frightening because growing up I had heard of people getting molested and ganged raped in Jail. Didn't experience or feel threatened from the jail house rumor mill.

.

I will be voting for the jail, despite serious misgivings about County leadership. Hopefully the promised enhancements for mental health come to fruition.

Trear that ugly building down and build a fabulous residential tower.

We definitely need a new jail. Just hope they have chronicled the flaws of the previous structure with plans to avoid the pitfalls that made the county jail become a death sentence for those incarcerated.

Years ago back in late 1980s: I gave my brother a vehicle. Before we could get it transferred; he received a parking ticket he swore to me he never saw it on his windshield. Well, the car was in my name, I had just moved from my previous address; before I could get things straightened out I found myself in that same mammoth hotel-like structure. Took 2 1/2 days before my family knew I was missing and thought to check the jail. You can't post your own bond--had more than $200.00 cash on me at the time.

You're asked to strip down and bend over while they spray you with some kind of chemical that smell like something you would spray on a rose bush. You're given an orange jump suite and some flip flop clog style sandals. Gives you a feeling of being degraded as a human being. Don't waste your time explaining what happened; you may as well be talking to a ground mole.

Won't bore you with the crap I witnessed a night that made me sick to my stomach... ...Thank God when I heard them call my name and I was able to breath the outside air.

Kept thinking how blessed I was, I had no appetite for the stale food they served (a days old 3" stale sweet roll--looked like something Brown's Bakery thrown out, a small carton of orange juice for breakfast), Dinner was a TV-dinner on a tray with mixed veggies and a piece of chicken--looked it it was fried in lard. I lost 8 lbs, took cat naps because I felt uncomfortable with the creeps in my cell. The beds were a wired contraption much like a hammock.

You do what you have to do to survive. Yes, and about that phone call, the person receiving it can't make out who's calling--maybe it was designed that way.

There's no privacy in your cell; an open commode with no top or partitions for privacy; so if you had to do the #2 you had to stand over the stool like a cow.

Well anyway, I was finally bonded out by my brother who became concerned and called the jail. 'Yes, he's here on an unpaid parking ticket.'

This is total BS, wasn't offered an OR bond or anything of that matter. It's pure hell in there, cold at night, you smell other inmates who smell like rotten feet and urine. Luckily I didn't fall into despair, anxiety or depression. Was taught at an early age to stay observant at all times.

Understand, we have to incarcerate people--it shouldn't have to lead to a death sentence.

Let's make sure the new jail is something that discourages inmates from becoming suicidal and giving up on life.
Awful.

I “think” they changed bail requirements and qualifications a few years ago when the criminal justice reform stuff went through. And I think that is how we went from 3500 people in the jail to less than 2000 now.

If anyone on here (my apologies if someone already noted this) remembers. The jail was built by corruption and crooked contractors RGDC which also built Westmoore High School screwed it up bad. From what I understand there is a Cheeto bag in the ceiling in one of floors there. Local media dubbed it the Money Pit off of that movie with Tom Hanks and Shelly Long. It should have been scrapped from day 1. It needs to be replaced with MAPS style citizen oversight board to make sure the good old boy system that built the current one doesn’t strike again.

I have a feeling there is more to that story than is being told here. I've never seen an officer that wouldn't have been able to straighten that out before booking you. If that really was what happened, then there's a lawsuit waiting to happen. Somehow, I think there were details left out there.

We definitely need a new facility, and we need to ensure that fresh eyes are running it as well. Oversight is going to be the key to getting a proper place built, then we can demo this place. What you're going to see is that it's going to really have to be forced for it to happen. I think the population realizes what a pile it is, but they've known that for 20 years. It's an unattractive expense for people that the population aren't particularly feeling fuzzies about. It's hard to convince the populace to do the right thing, and that stinks. Your next task, where are you going to put it that you aren't going to have all the NIMBY folks all over it? If it's properly secure, then there really isn't a safety issue there to be honest. There are plenty of county jails right next to very expensive neighborhoods. I mean Cleveland County is a stone's throw from some very nice homes and businesses. It can be done right......can we trust OK county to do that? That's the question.

I'm still not particularly convinced that we've rid ourselves of the good-ole-boys that got us in this mess. Getting rid of Whestell was stage 1, getting rid of the next guy was stage 2 (cause he actually was more of a reason for it to suck than Whetesell was). But the staff, that's where we're still seeing some of that old guard that needs to retire and make room for new people. They had their chance, they screwed it up, and it's time for them to step aside.

We just need the voters to agree here.

If anyone on here (my apologies if someone already noted this) remembers. The jail was built by corruption and crooked contractors RGDC which also built Westmoore High School screwed it up bad. From what I understand there is a Cheeto bag in the ceiling in one of floors there. Local media dubbed it the Money Pit off of that movie with Tom Hanks and Shelly Long. It should have been scrapped from day 1. It needs to be replaced with MAPS style citizen oversight board to make sure the good old boy system that built the current one doesn’t strike again.

RGDC is not a contractor. They are an architectural, engineering and planning firm. Westmoore was built by Buckner & Moore. I don't know who the contractor was for the jail.

RGDC is not a contractor. They are an architectural, engineering and planning firm. Westmoore was built by Buckner & Moore. I don't know who the contractor was for the jail.

I recall it was FSB, formerly known as, Frankfurt-Short-Bruza that was architectural and engineering

I have a feeling there is more to that story than is being told here. I've never seen an officer that wouldn't have been able to straighten that out before booking you. If that really was what happened, then there's a lawsuit waiting to happen. Somehow, I think there were details left out there.

We definitely need a new facility, and we need to ensure that fresh eyes are running it as well. Oversight is going to be the key to getting a proper place built, then we can demo this place. What you're going to see is that it's going to really have to be forced for it to happen. I think the population realizes what a pile it is, but they've known that for 20 years. It's an unattractive expense for people that the population aren't particularly feeling fuzzies about. It's hard to convince the populace to do the right thing, and that stinks. Your next task, where are you going to put it that you aren't going to have all the NIMBY folks all over it? If it's properly secure, then there really isn't a safety issue there to be honest. There are plenty of county jails right next to very expensive neighborhoods. I mean Cleveland County is a stone's throw from some very nice homes and businesses. It can be done right......can we trust OK county to do that? That's the question.

I'm still not particularly convinced that we've rid ourselves of the good-ole-boys that got us in this mess. Getting rid of Whestell was stage 1, getting rid of the next guy was stage 2 (cause he actually was more of a reason for it to suck than Whetesell was). But the staff, that's where we're still seeing some of that old guard that needs to retire and make room for new people. They had their chance, they screwed it up, and it's time for them to step aside.

We just need the voters to agree here.

As a 60 plus year old white man, lifetime OKCityan, I will take his reality at face value.

And I will share a true story from around 2000: Mexican kid, 100% legal, about 23 who worked for me, borrowed a 10 year old Mercedes-Benz that was one of my shop cars, for the weekend. He was hit on Friday evening and 100% not at fault. He called me immediately, and I went down to help himself and my car get properly located. Investigating officer comes to us after a few minutes and tells my worker that his license is suspended, and the officer must arrest him. I immediately tell my worker "When you get processed, call me and I will come down and bail you out". Officer says to me "Does he work for you and is he a good guy? You would vouch for him?" I replied "Yes. Absolutely". Officer says "If you will vouch for him, I think can get him released on your recognizance. Let me check with my supervisor." 5 minutes later the officer says "My supervisor approved this. You can leave with a ticket".

My worker was getting divorced, and he and wife had a Kia that was repossessed. They quit paying insurance after it was repossessed, and the insurance company notified the state that he let it lapse. Nobody notifies the state when the car is repossessed, so he was caught up in this 6 months after the fact.

I recall it was FSB, formerly known as, Frankfurt-Short-Bruza that was architectural and engineering

The designers of the jail were HTB and RGDC, two Oklahoma City firms that no longer exist (HTB was merged with another firm and RGDC reorganized). It was built by a venerable Oklahoma firm, Manhattan Construction.

I don’t believe FSB had any involvement whatsoever, but I can’t swear to that.

The designers of the jail were HTB and RGDC, two Oklahoma City firms that no longer exist (HTB was merged with another firm and RGDC reorganized). It was built by a venerable Oklahoma firm, Manhattan Construction.

I don’t believe FSB had any involvement whatsoever, but I can’t swear to that.
Thank you for the accurate info. Now I gotta figure out how I got FSB in my mind.

^^^^^^^^^
FSB was hired to oversee implementation of the first-generation MAPS projects. The jail was at the time very much in the news, with tons of controversy and accusations flying (Channel 5 in particular ran a near-nightly investigative series named “the Money Pit” for instance) to the point where it even made the passage of MAPS uncertain, since the public in general can’t distinguish between municipal vs county government.

FSB’s oversight presence plus the MAPS citizen oversight board and subcommittees were heavily promoted in the media as protection against a jail-type fiasco. It’s easy to see how they could be jumbled up in a person’s distant memory.

I'm generally for bonds to build new things, but I don't trust the current jail trust to do it right. I'll be voting no in this case, but would vote yes if the current trust was restructured with new people who are less sketchy.

We need a new jail facility no matter what. I like the idea of the new jail having a 400 bed mental health wing that will also serve as a diversion to treatment for those addicted. This is probably our one chance to get this fixed without raising our taxes.

NW expressway has a lot of left turns

pretty sure OHP meant two or more lanes because if it only applies to more than two lanes that would mean a lot of I-40/35/44 doesn't apply to that law.

The above KFOR link states more than 2 lanes. Not 2 or more.

The above KFOR link states more than 2 lanes. Not 2 or more.

Yeah I know, I was only thinking of more than two lanes going in one direction. I'm sure they meant both lanes as in I-40 having mostly 4 lanes, two going one direction and two going the opposite direction otherwise it wouldn't make any sense.

Here's the actual bill:

http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2017-18%20ENR/hB/HB2312%20ENR.PDF

It's early, but it looks like the bond measure for the new jail is going to pass quite handedly. Supposing it does pass, I wonder what kind of time frame we're looking at.

Well it does looks like it will pass. Good deal. Hopefully a site not too far away from downtown is chosen but we all know BS will storm in here with the news of them choosing a site by the landfill if that’s what they do which wouldn’t surprise me lol. Hopefully they get this going sooner rather than later.

Well it does looks like it will pass. Good deal. Hopefully a site not too far away from downtown is chosen but we all know BS will storm in here with the news of them choosing a site by the landfill if that’s what they do which wouldn’t surprise me lol. Hopefully they get this going sooner rather than later.

The goal should be the absolute cheapest land possible that is close enough to down town.

I don’t care where that is at all. But they need to spend the min about on the land and the max amount on the building

Is Swadleys going to get this concession contract as well?

Is Swadleys going to get this concession contract as well?

Maybe some of their executive staff will have the opportunity to be live-in managers for it.

Maybe some of their executive staff will have the opportunity to be live-in managers for it.

Haha, hope so, as long as they have nothing to do with building it.

Does the County own the land and the building in the current location.