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Leavenworth commission adopts resolution requiring special‑use permit for reopening of CoreCivic facility after months of public opposition
Summary
After more than a dozen residents and advocacy groups spoke against plans to reopen the CoreCivic facility as an ICE detention center, the Leavenworth City Commission adopted Resolution B2394 asserting the citys zoning authority and saying any reopening requires a special‑use permit.
The Leavenworth City Commission adopted a formal resolution affirming that the former CoreCivic facilitys reopening would require a special‑use permit under city development regulations, after an extended public comment period in which residents and local organizations urged the commission to block use of the site as an ICE detention center.
The resolution (No. B2394) states that the facilitys prior operations have been closed and abandoned for more than 36 months and therefore the site no longer qualifies as a legal nonconforming use; the commission said any reopening must follow the citys special‑use process. The city attorney described the measure as a statement of the commissions position and of staffs requirement that CoreCivic obtain a special‑use permit.
The vote followed more than an hour of public comment focused on CoreCivics record and the local impacts of a detention contract. Speakers included former staff, civil‑liberties advocates, religious leaders and residents from across the region who urged the commission to take legal steps to block a reopening without city approval. Marcia Levering, who said she worked at the CoreCivic Leavenworth facility until 2021, told the commission: "CoreCivic should never be allowed to open again, not without serious protocols to prevent a repeat of their blatant negligence and utmost disregard for human safety, inmate and staff alike." Esmeid Sun, communications director for the ACLU of Kansas, told the commission "CoreCivic considers all of us a means to an end for a profitable contract." Kat Barrow, who described herself as a nearby resident, said, "CoreCivic is a private profit driven company with a horrible record of dangerous and dehumanizing conditions for people detained and staff members."
Several speakers urged the city to take legal action if CoreCivic attempts to operate without following the city's permitting processes. Sister Janine of Advocates for Immigration Rights and Reconciliation said the community had gathered signatures opposing negotiations between ICE and CoreCivic and called for "decisive legal action now." Other speakers described alleged incidents and conditions at the facility while it was operated by CoreCivic under federal custody, including claims of violence, medical neglect and poor living conditions.
After discussion, a motion to approve Resolution B2394 was made and seconded; the commission voted to adopt the resolution. The city attorney read the resolution into the record and said staff had already communicated the citys position to CoreCivic. The resolution does not itself initiate litigation; rather, it formally records the commissions position that reopening the site is subject to the special‑use permit process under local development regulations.
What happens next: The resolution requires CoreCivic to pursue the special‑use permit process if it seeks to resume operations. The commission did not announce litigation during the meeting; several public speakers urged the city to pursue all available legal remedies if CoreCivic attempts to operate without a permit.
Votes at meeting: The commission moved and seconded approval of Resolution B2394; the motion carried (the roll call in the meeting record was recorded as a series of "Aye" votes).
