County passes on extra land near jail site
Lancaster County commissioners have decided not to pursue acquiring more land near the site of the new county jail, at least for now.
They had considered picking up 22 acres of wetlands directly south of the new jail site at Southwest 40th and West O streets, but after more study determined it would not be a worthwhile pursuit.
Consultants assessed the additional site, at a cost to the county of $1,000, finding that more study was needed, among other tasks the County Board would have to consider. But commissioners didn’t write off a deal entirely.
“If those guys are willing to donate it, we’d certainly be open,” Commissioner Bernie Heier said Thursday.
The land’s owner, West O Properties, sold the county 37 acres for the jail site in November. It will offer plenty of room for the new jail, but the additional space could give the county some options, including the possibility of building a lake or retention pond to help heat and cool the jail, county officials had said.
The deal for the additional land, referred to as a possible donation, was first discussed in December. The land, mostly flood plains and wetlands, is assessed at $96,529, according to records in the County Assessor’s Office.
The jail site has a small pocket of wetlands that could still be used for an energy project, county property manager Don Killeen said.
Reach Jean Ortiz at 473-7107 or jortiz@journalstar.com.
They had considered picking up 22 acres of wetlands directly south of the new jail site at Southwest 40th and West O streets, but after more study determined it would not be a worthwhile pursuit.
Consultants assessed the additional site, at a cost to the county of $1,000, finding that more study was needed, among other tasks the County Board would have to consider. But commissioners didn’t write off a deal entirely.
“If those guys are willing to donate it, we’d certainly be open,” Commissioner Bernie Heier said Thursday.
The land’s owner, West O Properties, sold the county 37 acres for the jail site in November. It will offer plenty of room for the new jail, but the additional space could give the county some options, including the possibility of building a lake or retention pond to help heat and cool the jail, county officials had said.
The deal for the additional land, referred to as a possible donation, was first discussed in December. The land, mostly flood plains and wetlands, is assessed at $96,529, according to records in the County Assessor’s Office.
The jail site has a small pocket of wetlands that could still be used for an energy project, county property manager Don Killeen said.
Reach Jean Ortiz at 473-7107 or jortiz@journalstar.com.
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