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Spokane council begins essential public-facility process for possible new jail, names committee composition
Summary
Council members reviewed the central public-facility siting process for a possible new jail, described a 180-day EPF process that yields a top-three site recommendation, and said a third-party firm will conduct an independent needs assessment; two EPF committee appointments remain.
The Spokane Regional Law & Justice Council on July 8 briefed members on the initial steps of a central public-facility (EPF) siting process for a proposed new jail and confirmed the composition of a site-selection committee.
Chair described the EPF process as a roughly 180-day sequence of analysis that begins with a functional analysis, proceeds to a qualitative analysis and culminates in a weighted analysis recommending three sites for the Board of County Commissioners. He said the downtown campus emerged in past reviews as the leading urban option, and a rural site near Spokane International Airport and a waste-energy facility remains under consideration.
The council reported it has adopted a resolution establishing the EPF selection committee; the committee is a cross-section of jurisdictions with construction and facilities expertise. Chair said two committee seats remain to be filled at the discretion of the Board of County Commissioners: one downtown-business representative and one construction-industry volunteer to serve pro bono.
To provide an independent evaluation, the county contracted a third-party firm to perform a jail needs assessment, review previous studies (including National Institute of Corrections and past local reports) and produce scenario analyses and drivers of population. "We’re looking for a third set of eyes on it… that will give credibility to the process," the chair said.
Members also discussed a phased approach that could include a stronger booking and reception area (characterized as a law-justice reception center) with on-site mental-health and drug-treatment capacity and possible magistrate or portable-judge functions to streamline case handling. Chair warned that a bond measure would depend on voter appetite and competing ballot measures could affect funding prospects.
The council will continue to refine the EPF timeline, finalize the remaining committee appointments and post project materials and public-comment opportunities on a project website that staff are developing.
