Tuesday, April 7, 2009

County Board and Jail Demolition

At their Board meeting on April 7th the Board discussed awarding a contract for the "deconstruction of the jail" Commissioner Nelson suggested that "media outlets should actually attend a meeting" to hear about the long process that the Board has gone through in deciding to tear down the old jail. Commissioner Forsman indicated that there was information that he thinks has not been made available to the public-such as the fact the 8 studies have been completed and all indicated that the "building is not appropriate for re-use". This conversation was in the context of Commissioner O'Neil requesting that the Board wait to award the demolition contract until the appeal to the City of Duluth has been decided pertaining to the City's refusal to allow the jail to be destroyed, as it is a historic building.

Mike Forsman suggested that the Federal Government be contacted to see about getting prisoners from GITMO, seeing as that is being shut down. Commissioner Rauker indicated that folks would not really want "those people" in the jail-referring to a proposal a number of years ago to house international prisoners there.

Vote 6-1 in favor of moving forward with resolution to award the bid for tearing down the jail.

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