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DAMMASCH PRISON SITE REAFFIRMED
At the request of the Legislative Emergency Board, the Oregon Department of Corrections this week completed a comparison of the Dammasch prison site in Wilsonville and an alternative site (Day Road property) in Washington County near Wilsonville.
Based on the outcome of the evaluation, including compelling cost estimates and schedule impacts, Director David S. Cook of the Department of Corrections decided building a prison complex on the Dammasch property is the best alternative. The governor concurred.
Construction at Dammasch is scheduled to begin in May, 1998; the prison should be completed by August, 2000. It will consist of a multi-custody level women´s prison and a co-gender intake center.
In presenting the facts to the public, Director Cook reemphasized the department´s commitment to public safety and sound fiscal management of public resources. "I asked staff to approach this evaluation thoroughly, with open minds and practical questions," Director Cook said. "Our decision is based on careful consideration of all the facts, including the potential to have to displace residents and businesses."
The evaluation conducted by correctional staff with input from other state agencies and consultants includes a physical comparison of the sites, the differences in construction costs, and a time line for opening the much-needed facilities. Some highlights of the evaluation:
Physical Comparison:
The Department of Corrections purchased the 190-acre Dammasch site on December 31, 1997. It includes 350,000 square feet of reusable space. The Day Road property reaches the minimum requirement of 130 acres by combining 20 tax lots. Forced condemnation of some or many of the properties is likely;.at least 14 owners, renters and businesses would be displaced and required to be relocated.
The size of the Dammasch property provides a safe zone between the prison and abutting properties. On Day Road, the prison would be closer in proximity to abutting properties, thereby reducing the buffering that contributes to a secure perimeter. Security issues include the introduction of contraband, clear ability to observe inmate transports, and an abutting active railroad line.
Additionally, the property poses multiple concerns about environmental hazards.
Schedule Comparison:
To site the prison complex on Day Road would set occupancy back a minimum of 19 months. A domino effect would impact the Clackamas County jail and the number of rental beds Oregon inmates occupy out-of-state.
Cost Comparisons:
It would cost the taxpayers of Oregon over $29 million more to build the women´s prison/intake center on the Day Road property than on the Dammasch site. The budget was broken down into three broad categories; not one was favorable toward Day Road, even when proceeds from the assumed sale of the Dammasch property were taken into account.
Project construction and administration costs: $9.3 million more for Day Road:
The DOC estimated the project construction and administration costs at Dammasch and Day Road to be $103.6 million and $113 million respectively. A predominant factor is the lower cost of using existing Dammasch buildings at $60 per square foot as opposed to Day Road new construction at $146 per square foot.
Another line item with a significant dollar difference is the DOC´s planned future use of even more of the Dammasch site´s existing buildings, which include a shell for future minimum custody housing and various corrections programs. The Day Road property will require all new building construction. For comparison purposes, the cost identified for the Day Road site is based on constructing an unfinished shell at $80 per square foot. Even so, the Dammasch plan costs $5 million less.
Development Costs: $10.6 million more for Day Road
This category includes improvements to street, sanitary sewer, water and storm sewer infrastructures. Significant differences were noted in all of these categories except street improvements. The alternative property may have had advantages relative to transportation issues.
Other Impacts Costs: $9.3 million more for Day Road
Construction delays, prison occupancy delays, opening up the siting process, condemnation and acquisition of the Day Road properties as well as relocation expenses for residents and businesses would amount to over $26 million. That $26 million is offset by an estimated $16 million assuming the state would choose to sell the Dammasch property.
"The cost to taxpayers of changing sites midstream is more than $29 million. In addition, the likelihood of condemnation, a 19-month delay and the possibility of compromising security made us conclude that the Dammasch site is still the best location for the facility," Director Cook said.
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hagenb for PDamon 2/27/98
last revision 2-22-2000 peg cook
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