City Jail At Interbay

There has been some blog and newspaper coverage by staff at The Stranger of comments I made at a meeting of the Georgetown Community Council last week.  Just to set the record straight, I have not taken a position on where the new city jail should be located. 

During the community meeting, which covered numerous topics, I was asked about the jail siting process.  I commented that the Interbay site, "in my own neighborhood," would score very high as would the site near the First Avenue South bridge (just a few blocks from where I was standing when I made these comments).  My comments were not an endorsement of any particular site but merely a reflection of the fact that, in my view, these two sites meet the evaluation criterion, which, of course, is why they are on the short list of potential locations.  I was not endorsing any specific site.

I favor a regional solution to the jail siting, with King County continuing to play a significant lead role.  Just yesterday my colleagues and I discussed this issue (and many others) with the Bellevue City Council.  Bellevue, and other north and northeast county cities, have joined with Seattle and formed a working group that will hopefully develop a solution that makes sense for the entire region.  This process will continue through the end of the year.  I will keep an open mind, evaluate all of the facts carefully, and then make a final decision with my colleagues. 

I've written about this issue before here and here. 

Comments

[John]

You should take a position on Interbay. It is not comforting to read that you have not taken a position. The Interbay location is too close to families and children, and a jail here will put our neighborhood at risk. It should be opposed.

[Tim Burgess]

Interbay and the site near the First Avenue South bridge. In the context of the four city-sites, yes, Interbay and First Avenue South sites are the best choices in my mind. But, there are many factors to consider here, not the least of which is the need for a regional solution and that's why I'm please that Shoreline, Bellevue, Kenmore, Bothell, and others have joined the work group.

[JvA]

We know you're not saying that Seattle should build a new jail on its own.

But didn't you say that, among the four sites, that the Interbay site "makes the most sense," "is the better choice" and "that's [the site] I'd put it at"?