Terre Haute City Council hears jail location concerns

By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

Many residents continue to speak out against the proposed site of a  new Vigo County Jail to be constructed at the former International Paper location on Prairieton Road.

Several attended the sunshine meeting of the Terre Haute City Council last night in City Hall to voice their concerns, as a a rezoning petition for the property is on this month's agenda. 

The request calls for the property of 60-acres to be rezoned from heavy industrial to open space. The new Vigo County Security Complex will use 20- acres, allowing for potential of remaining acreage to be used for community uses, according to the request.

In addition to location concerns, size of the planned facility, costs and lack of discussion for alternative sites for the new jail were questioned by audience members, who all agree they'd rather see the site along the Wabash River used for recreational -type purposes. The main concern heard, however, was alleged lack of transparency among county officials and the public.

The ongoing jail discussions have many questioning transparency on the project, Mike Gordon said, addressing the council.

"There's a lot of urgency being pushed forward on this, as a result of the lawsuit and some other things in the time frame that the County Commissioners stipulated to," Gordon said, adding, "It will be the biggest public building, ever, in Vigo County history. So, I believe, city residents would have tax liablility, as well as county residents.We all deserve answers about that."

Lisa Moore informed the council she is against the jail being built across from the new Vigo County School Aquatic Center in Voorhees Park.  She noted that just after the Vigo County Commissioners announced in January the intent to use the International Paper property for the $68 million new jail project, she immediately started an online petition at Change.org against it. With more than 660 signatures and 15 pages of comments, she feels much of the community agrees with her position on the issue.

"I hope we can agree that putting the jail across from city parks and a school facility is not appropriate for our county's children," she said , adding that she has previously spoken against the proposed site with the commissioners, school board and county council.

Several council members responded to the concerns. Because so many issues remain unaddressed, Todd Nation stated he'd vote against the rezoning, while stressing whatever site decided upon must be built in the city limits.

"I, too, question such a huge jail, at such an expense to the tax payers," Nation said, noting he doesn't agree with the International Paper site.

Vice President Curtis DeBaun, Amy Auler and Marta Crossen agreed, indicating a lack of support for the rezonng.


Also for consideration at next week's regular City Council Meeting:

• Special ordinance to rezone property on Sidebender Road, just south of Margaret Avenue for proposed apartment complex. Many residents oppose this project as well, citing safety concerns fo traffic and flooding in the area. Attorney Richard Shagley explained that the planned overpass at South 19th and Margaret Avenue would likely shift traffic dramatically from the area.
• Special oridinance rezoning properties located along North Sixth Street and Lafayette Avenue for a proposed $22 million assisted senior living facility. Attorney Jeff Lewellyn explained the plan calls for 119 units, including studio and one-bedroom apartments.  The facility is expected to bring 35 jobs to the community.
• Resolutions  for a 10-year tax abatement for a $2 million tire recycling plant, Pyrolex, to be consttucted at 4150 Steelton Avenue in the Ft. Harrison Industrial Park for confirmation.
• General ordinance to change a four-way stop at an intersection near the former Sacred Heart School at North 13th Street and Barbour Avenue to a two-way stop.