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[jefffwd]

Commissioners OK jail construction
By MAX B. BAKER
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
FORT WORTH
After at least two years of studying sites in and out of the central business district, Tarrant County Commissioners voted Tuesday to build a new $91.4 million maximum-security jail in downtown Fort Worth despite concerns that it may not be a good fit with the high-rise residential properties and corporate headquarters nearby.

Commissioners voted 4-1 to build the new 336-cell jail on the site of the county's Muller Building on West Weatherford Street, across from the Tarrant County Corrections Center. A short tunnel under the street will connect the new jail to the existing jail and courts.

The added costs of building a new facility to house county court records, moving Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson's offices to the Tarrant County Plaza -- the old Tandy Technology Center -- and purchasing such items as equipment and furniture boosts the project's total price to about $108 million. The county now stores some court records in the Muller Building.

Voters approved a new jail as part of a $433 million bond package last year. The only other downtown site considered by the county was the site of the old county jail at 300 W. Belknap St., but that alternative was ultimately rejected by commissioners as too costly.

Construction of the jail -- which will hold what Anderson describes as the "baddest of the bad" county prisoners -- is set to begin in 2009 and be completed by 2012.

Sheriff pleads for vote

Anderson pleaded with commissioners to take action Tuesday, saying that each day they delay a decision on where to build the facility makes his job more difficult and potentially adds to the project's costs.

"We have studied this to death," Anderson said. "It is the site that makes all of the sense in the world from a taxpayer dollar standpoint and that fits in with our needs. There is no comparison to the other sites."

Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley at one time supported building the 40,000-square-foot jail outside of downtown at a site near the county-owned Green Bay facility, a partially-renovated warehouse northeast of downtown. But the cost of moving out of downtown, which essentially would be creating a new criminal courts complex, persuaded Whitley to go with the Muller site.

"I'm pleased that we went through the process and the selection we made represents the best use of Tarrant County tax dollars," he said.

Dressing up a jail

Anderson and other county officials are well aware the downtown business community is squeamish about having another jail nearby, and they said they are committed to building a jail that will not be a blight on Fort Worth's downtown skyline.

During Tuesday's discussion, Commissioner Roy Brooks, whose district includes downtown, recommended putting retail space on the street level to help the jail blend in with the surrounding landscape, which includes the $200 million RadioShack corporate headquarters.

"My challenge is that we get as creative as we can and build a jail that is as unobtrusive as we can possibly make it," Brooks said.

He also said downtown business leaders understand that the commissioners were faced with a difficult decision. "The downtown business leaders are interested in what goes on downtown, but they are also interested in using their tax dollars in the most efficient way," he said.

Commissioner J.D. Johnson cast the only vote against the Muller site, saying more should have been done to investigate using the old Belknap jail site. He also said the court should have delayed making a decision to give downtown stakeholders a chance to respond.

Selection of the new jail site was under the briefing section of the commissioners' agenda. It was not listed as an action item, meaning it was not clear that a vote was going to be taken.

"We did need to make a decision and get things rolling, but I wish it had waited a couple of weeks," Johnson said.

He also had doubts that anything can be done to make a jail fit in with the swanky surroundings a few blocks away.

"You can put lipstick on a hog but you can't make it look good," Johnson said.

Not everyone's choice

Andy Taft, president of Downtown Fort Worth Inc., the nonprofit advocacy agency for property owners, businesses and other stakeholders in the central business district, said they suggested that if the jail had to be built downtown, it should be built where the old county jail is located on Belknap Street

"It's not the best site for downtown, that is what we've said all along," Taft said. "It's unfortunate that that's the decision they made."

But if the county follows through with plans to put other county offices or other related functions on the lower floors, it would go a long way in alleviating the negative effects of putting the jail at that location, he said.

Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief said that while a new jail downtown may make it easier to transfer prisoners to and from the courts safely and securely, he's not necessarily happy about it. He plans to meet with City Council members soon about the new jail site.

"We already have one jail downtown," Moncrief said. "I don't think this would have been my choice."

Mayor Pro Tem Kathleen Hicks said that whatever happens, city officials must work with the county on the jail's construction.

"We look forward to making it work with the citizens of Fort Worth," she said.

Building the new jail will have no effect on the city of Fort Worth's contract to jail its prisoners at the Mansfield Jail.

After wrangling with commissioners for years about putting the jail at the Muller site, Anderson said he was "ecstatic" that a decision had been made.

"This decision will outlive all of us. It will be here long after we have retired and moved on," he said. "I don't think there will be a bigger decision made during my time in office. I am so grateful the court believes in this."

Staff writers Anna M. Tinsley and Sandra Baker contributed to this report.

NEW COUNTY JAIL

The jail will include 288 single cells for men, 48 single cells for women, and 96 medical beds for male prisoners.

The total cost of the new jail rises to $108 million when including $6.6 million to move the sheriff's offices from 300 W. Belknap St. to the Tarrant County Plaza across the street from the Tarrant County Justice Center, and $8.3 million to build a new records management center to replace the Muller building.

Why this site?

The Sheriff's Department said the Muller site is best for safety, security and efficiency.

The Muller property is a square piece of property that is accessible from all four sides, and is 30 percent larger than an alternative site at the L-shaped, former county jail at 300 W. Belknap St., which offers full access on only one side and limited access on two sides.

Commissioners were also concerned that the Belknap site's cost would be higher.

What's next?

Move Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson's offices from 300 W. Belknap St. to the Tarrant County Plaza in the first part of 2008.

Move the records center to its new building in 2009.

Start construction of the new jail in the latter part of 2009 with projected completion in 2012.

[David Love]

I don’t know the history of this project, but the article makes it sound like the only two locations ever really up for consideration were the downtown locations.

I doubt how much it (blends) with the surrounding structures is really what bothers most, I don’t know the inner workings of a jail, when someone is released, where do they go? Do many just have to hit the streets?

Where were the other locations? What were those proposals?

I received a letter in the mail when someone wanted to open a retail outlet downstairs that sold beer and wine, but it was several dozen feet too close to the rear entrance of a church, the minimum is 300’, yet they’re adding 336 cells which could theoretically hold anyone arrested for DUI in Tarrant County only 3 or 4 blocks away and I have to read about it in the Star Telegram.

Does this not strike anyone as a little shady?

[cberen1]

I doubt how much it (blends) with the surrounding structures is really what bothers most, I don’t know the inner workings of a jail, when someone is released, where do they go? Do many just have to hit the streets?

My thought is that there are a ton of the undesirables getting released downtown already since all of the criminal court buildings are downtown.

[safly]

And plenty more undesirables who get one way tickets to the FW Greyhound from Pampa. It has been THE problem since my first year here in DTFW. The word out in those regional prisons are that FW is the place to go where you can panhandle freely and that it is safe enough to wander about aimlessly. Then you have your choice of the mission home on Lancaster Ave. or that run down jallopy of a motel on Henderson Ave.

Very troubling, but it does feel nice to live out in the neighborhoods just on the edge of DTFW. No jail being built nearby in my lifetime.

4 minute commute is bearable.

[David Love]

Downtown already has more than its fair share of security obstacles so why import them?

Was the center of the lake in the Trinity River Project considered? They could make it look like a big keep right in the middle and instead of calling it the rock we could name it the fort, sell tickets, have tours.

or

They could put it over on West 7th, that's where all the stores are, at least they could stop and get some groceries.

[safly]

I'm very sorry David.

I hope this "progress" does not affect your resale value.

[David Love]

I'm very sorry David.

I hope this "progress" does not affect your resale value.

Only if they start housing folks from your neighborhood.

The jail is already there, damage done, plus I don't plan on selling so I could use the tax break. Maybe they could use some IT security help... how many jobs go with 336 cells?

I just think the community should have had more time or more input into the decision process, just seems odd that you have to notify EVERYONE within a defined radius to sell a beer but they can import hundreds of "suspected" criminals with a hurried vote.

[safly]

Only if they start housing folks from your neighborhood.

Come on, you know better than to say something like that.

White folks don't get picked up by the FWPD. (Nothing personal)

It's true. I've seen it plenty of times in DTFW, it surely happens like that as VANILLA IS PLAIN. Still waiting for the first one near my part of DTFW (where I work) to get the shackels this year.

The young ones especially can "act a fool" all up along Houston St. and the bike cops just turn the other direction, or (funny) check if their tires need inflating.

They know who they are, and they know who I am too.

Get a homeless guy "J" walking, and book em DANNO!

Hope you get the job there. Then you can sabotage it so bad, they will surely be forced to leave.

[fwpcman]

There has been a downtown jail in Fort Worth since day one and downtown living is nothing really new, other than a bunch of nimbys recently moved in.

[Buck]

The jail belongs downtown. The lawyers and families bring good downtown retail and restaurant traffic.

But I thought they were going to replace the 300 W. Belknap monstrosity, not build a whole new jail at the Muller site.

[David Love]

They're just adding to it with an underground tunnel.

[David Love]

There has been a downtown jail in Fort Worth since day one and downtown living is nothing really new, other than a bunch of nimbys recently moved in.

Anyone that owns a residence is a nimby, unless you have some skin in the development of course.

[Keller Pirate]

This does seem to be the first new construction project in DTFW the mayor is not happy to see. I wonder what he is going to meet with the council about? I don't think they can tell Nit Whitley to jump in the river.

I bet the mayor would like the new jail better if the inmates could come out in the evening and dine at the restaurants and go to the bars before reporting back to their cells at night.

Maybe he was planning on a gas well at the site.

[David Love]

How much cost would they have to add to the structure to allow for the ability to add onto the structure later, but build up?

If they’re going to have to add a structure then lets just make sure it’s just one block and nothing more, because by the time it’s finished, planning will start for the next, so why not plan for the expansion now.

Sounds like a good project for architectural students, creating a structure that can be expanded with a static footprint plus an external façade that looks good for downtown.

[Brian Luenser]

How much cost would they have to add to the structure to allow for the ability to add onto the structure later, but build up?

If they’re going to have to add a structure then lets just make sure it’s just one block and nothing more, because by the time it’s finished, planning will start for the next, so why not plan for the expansion now.

Sounds like a good project for architectural students, creating a structure that can be expanded with a static footprint plus an external façade that looks good for downtown.

Best idea yet! That is some pretty expensive dirt for bad guys. I bet there is too much short range thinking going on at this point. Those in favor of the downtown location surely want to get the cheapest bid around just to get it done there.

But a good enough long range plan for me to nominate David to show up at City Hall on Tuesday night to ask that question. (City should present idea to County) Sure would be too bad if nobody else thought of it. As a taxpayer, I would feel better about my investment if they used a base ready to accommodate 15 floors or so, even if it cost more up front.

[David Love]

What’s the chances of getting an idea or preference even considered?

“Interesting idea Mr. Love, thank you for your input, we need more citizens like you. NEXT”

Will they vote on proposed designs or was that voted on already too?

[JBB]

There's more than 1 topic going on this subject, so someone move this if need be. I know this will probably ruffle a few feathers, but at least he likely won't design a generic box. J.D. Johnson's reason for not voting for him made me chuckle a little.

Bass Hall architect picked to design jail

By AMAN BATHEJA
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Architect David Schwarz -- who designed much of Sundance Square, including Bass Hall -- is part of a team that has been tapped to design a new maximum security jail in downtown Fort Worth.

Amid concerns from the business community that the jail could detract from downtown development, Tarrant County commissioners Tuesday gave the county staff the authority to negotiate a design contract, including cost, with a team led by Gideon Toal, a Fort Worth architectural and engineering firm.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the selection, with Commissioner J.D. Johnson abstaining. Johnson said he didn't want to vote for Schwarz, who he said had been disrespectful to commissioners in the past.

"He talked down to us [and] came to court with a pair of slippers on without any socks like we were a bunch of country bumpkins," Johnson said. "I just didn't appreciate his attitude and I wasn't going to vote for him on that team."

County officials have said they do not want the new facility to look like a jail. One option they are considering is carving out retail space on the street level to help the jail fit in with downtown surroundings.

In its pitch to commissioners, Gideon Toal promised to be mindful of the building's location.

"We will strive to make it fit into the context of the buildings downtown," said Randy Gideon, co-chairman and chief executive officer.

Schwarz has designed various high-profile projects in North Texas, including Bass Hall, Rangers Ballpark in Arlington and Southlake Town Square. He will serve as a design consultant.

The design team will also include Wiginton Hooker Jeffry Architects, a firm that has worked on jails throughout the state.

Five other firms submitted proposals, and the search was eventually narrowed to three. Sheriff Dee Anderson had voiced support for Gideon Toal.

WHAT'S THE PLAN?

The new jail will be built on the site of the county's Muller Building on West Weatherford Street, across from the Tarrant County Corrections Center. A short tunnel under the street will connect the new jail to the existing jail and courts. Map, 9B

Voters approved a new jail as part of a $433 million bond package last year. County officials spent several months debating where to place the new jail, with several downtown businesses lobbying for the county-owned Green Bay facility in north Fort Worth.

WHEN WILL IT BE DONE?

Construction is set to begin in 2009 and finish by 2012.

[Fort Worthology]

Architect David Schwarz -- who designed much of Sundance Square, including Bass Hall -- is part of a team that has been tapped to design a new maximum security jail in downtown Fort Worth.

HA! I LOVE this, as y'all might expect I would. This will be very interesting.

[jefffwd]

Architect David Schwarz -- who designed much of Sundance Square, including Bass Hall -- is part of a team that has been tapped to design a new maximum security jail in downtown Fort Worth.

HA! I LOVE this, as y'all might expect I would. This will be very interesting.

I can see it now... A red brick building with no windows and trumpeting angels of justice on the front.

[safly]

Trumpeting ANGELS? Get that WEAK excuse for architectual "inspiration" out of here!

We all know what this building will be used for. So for the INTIMIDATION factors sake, how bout a limestone replica of ....

The SNAKE!








THAT RAAAWKS!

[JKC]

This was certainly not hurried in (at least as respects whether and where for a DT jail). There was a series of heated and thorough debates last year. But....as I recall, the issue was really closer to Monee9696's comment above. Should this land really go to that use?

The lawyers eating downtown argument came up then too until it was pointed out that the lawyers go to the courthouses, not the jail. That was when the sheriff started trumpeting the safety concerns of having to transport criminals too far (from jails elsewhere). That was proven bogus too, but the Commissioners Court was reluctant to cross the sheriff on such a touchy point.

In response to the add on question, G-T study showed that these facillities are vastly expensive structurally. So I don't know whether that might affect that idea.

In the end, we pay for the damage criminals cause, we pay extra to house them in prime real estate, we pay to support them in jail, then we dump them back out at 300 Weatherford at 12:00am to start it all over again.

But don't worry, you're sound asleep when they are released, just lock up.

[djold1]

Random thoughts on the new jail....

Yes, having the main holding jail downtown is a massive waste of money related to the cost of land, the cost of operation and perhaps the cost to public security when it is downtown.

But..

For any number of good reasons the main holding jail needs to be in the immediate vicinity of the criminal courts. That is why there are downtown jails everywhere.

Therefore..

The long term solution would be to move the criminal courts AND the jails to a surburban location. Make these courts and jails and parking a complex into itself in areas that are less crowded. Is there really any reason they have to be in the CBD?

Instead of bussing jurors in from the Lagrave Field parking lots, simply move the courts and jails into that area. Not that this would be the best location, but you get the idea.

I have no problem at all with having the civil courts downtown but I also wonder why they really need to be there?

All this seems so simple and logical that I must really be missing something basic..

[JKC]

Here are some more thoughts to throw in that pot:

The Study conducted for last years debates showed that jails are more and more commonly not downtown but courts typically are still desired downtown to drive traffic, business etc. It turns out that lots and lots of cities have figured out how to have both.

The study concluded that the real safety risk was a very small part of the jail population and that small portion could be housed DT easily if safety concerned warranted. As was discovered in the needs assessment, there is a great deal of transportation of prisoners. I think just due to staging and space managment (so far I've never been to jail so I am just repeating what I heard).

There is no question that the downtown stakeholders want the commerce of the court system but not to house the prisoners. Definitely a cake and eat it too type position.

The La Grave field parking is just plain funny. Downtown developers offered to provide free juror parking just to have them as potential customers but the County had already agreed to upgrade paving, security and shuttle to La Grave so they wouldn't / maybe couldn't take the offer.

[safly]

We could always construct a 9 story underground jail facility (ie sunken "plaza" jail) to satisfy those developers and then construct privately developed housing above it.

Too close for comfort?

[JKC]

We could always construct a 9 story underground jail facility (ie sunken "plaza" jail) to satisfy those developers and then construct privately developed housing above it.

Too close for comfort?

Now I like that!! What was the Vin Diesel movie with the underground jail?

[safly]

You mean this movie.

Awesome ACTION!

[JKC]

no....that's not it.

But I did pass your idea on to the architects' office this morning. So your suggestion is in the box.

[safly]

So. In order to get an idea in THE BOX you have to think out of it???

[Brian Luenser]

Thought I would take a walk tonight to see how the new Tarrant County Jail construction is progressing. I have been seeing the big crane but have not looked closely. Here are some shots, some from the street and some from the top of the County Parking garage South of Weatherford Street. (Not for the public. Whoops. I was going to tell them I smelled smoke and as a taxpayer needed to investigate.) It does seem like premium property for a jail but I will just have to believe them that this was cheaper than transporting bad guys back and forth to a distant location.








This is kind of "Justice Highway". And I am OK with Justice.



What the heck, as long as I was on the top of the garage I figured I would get a bonus shot.

[Stadtplan]

Tarrant County to reconsider plans for new law enforcement training center
https://www.star-tel...e279929109.html