Leavenworth staff outlines timeline for review of CoreCivic ICE facility after public outcry

A former detainee and multiple commissioners pressed city officials Friday as Leavenworth officials laid out a schedule for reviewing the CoreCivic Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility’s zoning and any intergovernmental service agreements.

The most immediate dates staff gave were a planning commission public hearing on April 7, 2025, and a first reading by the City Commission on April 29, 2025. Scott, a city staff member, said CoreCivic “have officially applied for that” special-use permit and that the planning commission will hear public testimony and then recommend approval or denial.

The matter has drawn strong public comment. William Rogers, who identified himself as a former facility worker, urged commissioners to consider detainee safety and past Department of Justice findings. “This ain’t a dollar decision. This ain’t an immigration issue. This is a human rights issue,” Rogers said, urging elected officials to read a 2017 DOJ audit he cited.

Why it matters: the city’s zoning ordinance now requires a special-use permit for the facility; the permit process establishes required public hearings and findings. Staff repeatedly told commissioners that the permit process is the primary regulatory mechanism and that the commission will make the final decision on whether to grant any permit or enter agreements with CoreCivic.

Staff said it will ask the commission at its March 11 meeting for limited authorization to enter into negotiations (an intergovernmental service agreement, or IGSA) with CoreCivic and ICE if the commission wants staff to pursue that option. Scott told commissioners the authorization would only allow staff to conduct talks and would not bind the commission to any outcome: “I will make no decisions. Staff will make no decisions. The city commission will make all of the final decisions.” Several commissioners said they prefer to wait until after the special-use permit process before taking additional steps.

City staff also said they will distribute a press note describing public-opportunity dates and will encourage public input. CoreCivic has invited city officials to an open-house-style meeting; commissioners discussed quorum concerns if more than a majority attend and noted that any meeting with a quorum would need to be open to the public. Staff requested that commissioners tell staff if they intend to attend so the city can manage quorum and open-meeting rules.

The city said it will offer other opportunities for the public and public-safety staff to visit the facility in controlled tours organized with CoreCivic.

Next steps: the planning commission will hold the public hearing April 7, 2025. The City Commission is scheduled for first consideration April 29, 2025; the commission may then schedule a second consideration and final vote after required procedures and any additional public input.

(For clarity: the city staff member who briefed the commission identified himself as Scott; David, a city staff member, was referenced as supporting research on the IGSA.)