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Q&A from Sept. 29 Grand Oaks Meeting
The questions below were submitted by residents of the Grand Oaks neighborhood in Corvallis during the September 29 neighborhood meeting. Unless otherwise stated, answers are provided by Justice System Improvement Program manager, Nick Kurth.
Are you going to add a lane to 53rd and to Reservoir?
The bond measure may include transportation improvements in the area of 53rd Street and Reservoir Road, but specific improvements have not been discussed to date.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
Are you going to expand the roads around this to prevent traffic pile up?
Traffic improvements on 53rd Street could be made in conjunction with the bond measure.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
Can the old courthouse be deconstructed and reconstructed somewhere else in the county (as a museum, maybe?), so that the land could be used to build a new Sheriff's office +jail + emergency center + Elections office + DA's office?
DLR Group concluded, based on the historic Courthouse’s unreinforced masonry concrete construction, the building could not be deconstructed and reconstructed elsewhere.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
Can you provide us an accurate study about the reduction of property values when a new center is built (not when existing centers are improved in existing locations)?
Yes, please see Correctional Facility Establishments and Neighborhood Housing Characteristics, by Kelly McGeever, 2018
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
Can you provide us with the study or data summary that recommends a 120-bed correctional facility for Benton County?
Please see pages 92-93 of the Assessment, which DLR Group updated as part of its Predesign work. The 120-bed recommendation is an approximation, not an absolute.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
Did the data include proximity to quiet peaceful neighborhoods and the impact to their residents and property values?
Proximity to a neighborhood was one of many site selection criteria.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
Do you have any examples of other towns of similar size that have jails that are not in commercial or retail districts but instead are in residential areas?
SCORE Correctional Facility, in Des Moines, WA: https://goo.gl/maps/3bGmf9kUm7N5ybLp8
Coffee Creek Correctional Center, in Wilsonville, OR: Borders residences to its east: https://goo.gl/maps/MssXuiS15wU4GWcA6
Crook County Jail, in Prineville, OR: It’s in an urban setting, but directly adjacent to many single family residences: https://goo.gl/maps/yLyA5ejsoGxP5SP48
Maui Community Correctional Facility, in Wailuku, HI: https://goo.gl/maps/VjgMZ5x43BfUgM198
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
How about light pollution to nearby houses?
Overall, the proposed facilities require no excessive lighting. For example, there will not be searchlights or anything designed that is beyond the lighting required by code for walking paths, parking lots, and door entries.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
How much does the new facility cost? Plus the budget for additional staffing?
Proposed facility costs (in $ millions) are as follows (net of state/federal allocations):
Correctional Facility | $50 |
Crisis Center | $2-$5 |
New Courthouse with District Attorney | $35 |
Sheriff's Office without/with Emergency Operations Center | $16-$25 |
Repurposing Historic Benton County Courthouse | $0-$20 |
These are the best cost ranges available to us at this time, in the absence of engineering design documents. Operation costs will be planned for and factored into the next two biennium budgets (2023-25 and 2025-27) to support an expansion of staff for the Justice System Improvement Program, or other County operations. With the proposed new Correctional Facility, the County will no longer need to spend up to $1.5 million annually on out-of-county jail beds and associated transportation.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
How will you address the issues we already have with people walking on the rail tracks and getting injured? It seems like that will be a common path from this facility.
On release, adults in custody will have several options for transportation including being met by family or friends, public transportation, transportation by the CORE Team or Sheriff’s Office to the Crisis Center, possibly leveraging the Sheriff’s court transport process to downtown (assuming the new Courthouse is not on site), or use of multi-model paths, whether on foot or by bicycle.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
How would this add to the traffic, and what mitigation plans are in the works, particularly given that these two projects would have completion dates around the same time?
A traffic impact study is underway and will consider impacts from the Mary’s Annexation development. We will keep our communities informed as we have more information.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
I was told the county was concerned about the "potential decrease in industrial property values" if located by the airport. Why are they not concerned about OUR neighborhood property values?
The County does not own the land at the Airport Industrial Park; it is owned by the City of Corvallis. Justice system facilities do not align with the City’s economic development plans for the Airport Park. The City’s concern was not centered on property valuation, but preserving City-owned land for economic development.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
If Napa County can rebuild their historic courthouse after a destructive earthquake with no cost to residents, why can't Benton?
The cost of rebuilding the Napa County Courthouse was primarily covered by insurance, the State of California and the federal government after damage in an earthquake.
In Oregon, the State only contributes funds for new courthouse facilities and does not contribute funds to rebuild or add on to historic courthouses. The funding model for repurposing the historic Benton County Courthouse has not been determined, but we will be looking at all possible sources.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
If recidivism is a problem, then it would seem that offenders are indeed released into the community. Thus, what would make you think that releasing inmates into/adjacent to Grand Oaks is a good idea?
By definition, when adults in custody are released, they are released into the community.
Currently, the County releases adults in custody downtown, not far from the public library and residential housing. If a new correctional facility is constructed on either of the proposed suburban sites, the County is committed to providing options for adults in custody on release to get to where they want to go.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
If we’re planning to bus people anyway, then yes why not pick something out of town?
Our preferred option is a campus approach to our justice system facilities, due to the operational and cost efficiencies. Courthouses are sited in the County seat, i.e., Corvallis. We do not expect the correctional facility to be a scar on the landscape – our current jail is in the middle of downtown.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
Is a higher incarceration rate better?
The goal of the Justice System Improvement Program is not a higher incarceration rate. The goal is to:
- Reduce the rate of recidivism, i.e., repeat offense and incarceration.
- Reduce the rate of failure to appear at Court hearings. Failure to appear results in high cost of staff time and creates an increased risk to community safety.
- To bring the use of cite and release closer to a best practice rate, and eliminate it for repeat offenders.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
Please state the distance from an elementary school that a facility such as this needs to be.
There are not currently regulations governing the distance between an elementary school and justice system facilities, including a correctional facility.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
Rather than building new facilities, can the existing jail, facilities downtown or in the Sunset Research Park be repurposed?
We are repurposing the Board of Commissioners Office for use as a Crisis Center. The jail has been remodeled and expanded to the extent possible since it was built in 1977. DLR Group studied repurposing or upgrading the existing jail and concluded it was not structurally or financially feasible. DLR Group also studied repurposing other County facilities, either for the structure or use of the land. These facilities were rejected for various reasons, including displacing existing services, construction limitations, zoning, etc. Other downtown sites were explored, but none met our requirements.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
So the fact that utilities have been brought out for a residential neighborhood is a reason to bring the jail here?
The proposed west site is zoned Intensive Industrial. There are already utilities on site to serve existing industrial businesses.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
The west site is outside of the city limits, who will fund the new bus service to go to it? Or is the plan to direct people into the neighborhood to access a bus stop?
The west site is inside Corvallis City limits. The County’s objective is to provide a public transit solution, whether extension of existing bus route or creation of a governmental services shuttle, to the justice system campus.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
There are no arterial roads from downtown to the proposed west campus on 53rd. Wouldn't it be better for response times and transport needs to locate it on OR 99W?
The Sheriff’s Office adjusts response routes depending on time of day and traffic conditions.
Drive time to downtown from the proposed south and west sites is 8 and 10 minutes respectively. Access to other parts of the County depends on the starting and ending location. For example, the response time will be quicker from the south location to the City of Monroe, but slower than the west site to Philomath or North Albany. Either suburban site has the potential to reduce some rural response times.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
Was this cost estimate obtained during this time 2020-2021? Is it possible we will come down a bit closer to the $25M for the correctional facility for example?
DLR Group’s estimates indicate that while the rate of construction cost escalation will likely slow, it will not retreat. Looking ahead, it is unlikely the proposed new Correctional Facility will ever cost less, and more likely the cost will continue to climb.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
Were any sites in north Corvallis considered? Was anything on 9th even considered?
Sites were considered all across Corvallis’ Urban Growth Boundary, including north Corvallis.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
What are the neighborhood lockdown plans when you have an armed escapee?
In the unlikely event that an adult in custody escaped the Correctional Facility, the County can activate a reverse 911 system, which would contact residents in the nearby vicinity. Response plans would depend on situational factors. The County, even with its outdated jail, has not had an escape in over 20 years.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
What have you done to address the Downtown Business Owner’s associations objections to the most reasonable location for these facilities (downtown)?
Downtown business owners and associations have not objected to citing justice system facilities downtown, nor has the City of Corvallis.
The County’s site selection process considered various sites downtown. All were rejected or abandoned, except the current site (parking area) adjacent to the Board of Commissioners office. That site has not been secured by contract and remains under negotiation. No site downtown was large enough to accommodate a single-level correctional facility (a multi-level facility was deemed operationally cost prohibitive).
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
What is the plan for when the Bond Measure fails?
We will continue to explore contingency plans and alternatives as the November 2022 bond measure approaches.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
What is the plan to upgrade the transportation resources to support this facility?
We are working to with the City of Corvallis to explore options to provide public transportation to support justice system facilities.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
Which elected officials support this proposal? Could you please provide their contact info?
All of the commissioners support the Justice System Improvement Program. The final details of the proposal for a bond measure will be decided in spring 2022. Contact information for Benton County Commissioners is available at https://co.benton.or.us/boc/custom-contact-page/board-commissioners-cont....
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
Why are all your choices near the urban growth boundary?
The sites under consideration were chosen based on many criteria and where land was available for purchase.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
Why are two of the three proposed locations near residential neighborhoods? Why not out by the airport? Why not keep it downtown by renovating space? Why not some other industrial area?
A site in the City’s Airport Industrial Park was considered. The County does not own the land at the Airport Industrial Park; it is owned by the City of Corvallis.
Justice system facilities do not align with the City’s economic development plans for the Airport Industrial Park. There is not another industrial area in Corvallis’ Urban Growth Boundary that meets the needs of JSIP and offers a viable property. There is not sufficient space downtown, for purchase or renovation, to accommodate a single-level correctional facility (a multi-level facility was deemed operationally cost-prohibitive).
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
Why do you propose to place these facilities so near GO, Bald Hill and the Fairgrounds? Are there not properties where there is a lower residential population and fewer high-use recreational areas?
After an exhaustive search for sites of suitable size and configuration, these two suburban sites were the two identified that the County was able to identify and secure.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
Why does it have to be within city boundary?
All of the proposed functions/facilities exist within Corvallis city limits today. The importance of locating the proposed new facilities within or immediately adjacent to Corvallis’ Urban Growth Boundary is to provide utility services at a reasonable cost. Additionally, the proposed justice facilities are part of a system – that work together – their close proximity supports best practices. Traditionally, Because Corvallis is the Benton County seat, and more than 60% of the County population is located within the city, an urban site provides the best accessibility to potential clients, adults in custody and family members.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
Why is funding for the jail, which has been notoriously unsuccessful, tied to funding for a crisis center and homeless shelter we desperately need and want?
The Board of Commissioners has not yet determined which facilities to include in the justice system bond measure. The County will establish a Crisis Center regardless of the bond measure. At the same time, a Crisis Center is a critical part of the County’s justice system, as is a Correctional Facility. The two facilities are linked by the services they provide, and each is important in creating a justice system for the future based on best practices.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
Why is the crisis center ask only $5M, which is 1/10th of the $50m ask for the jail? What does this say about county priorities?
The Crisis Center is an important part of the larger criminal justice continuum. The County has made the decision to create the Crisis Center by utilizing existing county property, which significantly decreases the cost of the center. The future Crisis Center will include trauma-informed space to best meet the needs of the individuals being served.
The size of the facility directly impacts the cost of the facility. The Crisis Center will provide approximately 7,000 square feet for care and treatment. This is in comparison to the projected 59,000 square feet for the county corrections facility.
While the Crisis Center will need some safety precautions, safety and security are not the primary focus. Safety is the primary focus for the Correctional Facility. That directly impacts the costs of both facilities.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
Why was the donation of the Burger King property downtown turned down by the county?
No such offer was made to the County.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
Will inmates families be able to visit them easily when the jail is located on a remote bus line?
Yes, and more easily than driving or taking public transit to Polk or Wasco Counties.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
Will prisoners be released in front of the prison into an area with no resources and very limited transportation? What will the effect of doing this be on bald hill natural area, the fairgrounds, and tailgating/shuttle for OSU football games?
Adults in custody may be released at the site, whether to meet a family member or loved one, to catch public transit to another part of Corvallis or the transit center downtown, or to possibly bike or walk to another destination. As with adults in custody who are currently released downtown (a block and a half from the public library), any impact is expected to be minimal and manageable. The County is committed to providing options for adults in custody on release to get to where they want to go.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting
Will there be emergency sirens at this site that break into the serenity of bald hill?
Emergency responders of all types use sirens across the county today.
Category: Q&A from 9/29 Grand Oaks Meeting