Halifax County commissioners on Monday agreed to send a letter to the town of Halifax after receiving correspondence from the town’s mayor expressing concerns over the proposed new jail's location and issues regarding wastewater treatment capacity.
Mayor John White wrote that the letter officially registers the concerns of the town board and its residents regarding the jail, which is currently in the planning stages.
“We have very serious concerns both over the location, and the infrastructural needs of this facility,” White wrote.
The town “recognizes the very real need for the county to address the detention center issue,” White continued. “It is viewed as a necessary evil, but one that is needed, not only for the safety and security of both the staff and inmates, but for the community at large.”
The letter acknowledges the need to address the issue due to the financial and logistical concerns of the county having to house inmates in other facilities across the state. This creates financial strain regarding staffing and travel, as well as the cost of paying other jurisdictions to house inmates. “There are security issues created by having to transport inmates across the region and state,” the letter stated.
The town’s primary concerns include the proposed location on the courthouse complex — specifically its proximity to residences on Bradley Drive, Wilcox Street, and King Street — and the increase in wastewater flow from the new, much larger facility.
Location concerns
White noted that the proposed area backs up directly to a primary residential area of the town.
“This creates both security and aesthetic concerns for our residents,” he said. “The proposed facility will be very close to the back yard of many homes, and the security fencing will seriously detract from the current neighborly feel of the area.
“The fencing, and the very prominent location of the facility, is not, in our opinion, appropriate for a residential area. There are also serious concerns related to property values.”
Infrastructure concerns
The new detention center, as proposed, will add a substantial load to the town's wastewater system, White wrote.
The town received a $1.2 million special legislative appropriation to be used for the renovation of the system. However, White noted that the new system — which is currently in the design phase — is being planned with the current needs of the town in mind, including existing county buildings.
“While there is room for modest growth, a major increase in design flow as will be required by the new jail project, will require further expansion that the town is not in position to fund alone,” White wrote.
Additional capacity in the Weldon Treatment Plant will be required and must be negotiated with Weldon, the letter said. “These infrastructure needs will greatly increase the overall cost associated with the Detention Center Project.”
Alternatives
The town offered the following alternatives:
Option 1: Locate the new detention facility on town property behind the current sheriff's office on the site of the town’s former sewage treatment plant. “This site does have approximately 5 to 9 feet of fill in the old lagoon, but it may be possible to excavate this out,” the letter suggested. “The lagoon sludge was all removed and disposed of, so the site is potentially usable, assuming the fill is excavated out to comply with state building codes.” The town would be willing to deed this site to the county for the project at no or minimal cost.
Option 2: Consider adding on to the existing jail. “Both of these options would address the main location issues the town has, but still would require the wastewater expansion.”
Option 3: Locate the new facility at the Halifax Industrial Park on Highway 561. “This location addresses the town’s concerns with location, and has the added advantage of having access to adequate sewer through the Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District lines,” White wrote. “We understand that the entire industrial park is under a purchase option to a potential business client, but, considering the size of the property, it would seem a small parcel could be cut out that would not adversely affect any business client looking at the industrial park site.
“We feel the industrial park offers the best location, and a good solution, to our concerns, and deserves serious consideration, or reconsideration as the case may be.”
He concluded: “We hope the county will take the concerns of the town into serious consideration. These are critical concerns for our citizens and the town. We are very concerned for the future of our town should this detention facility be located as currently proposed. We urge the county to take a serious look at these options, for the good of all of Halifax County, including the town of Halifax, going forward.”
County response
In a response signed by board of commissioners Chair Vernon Bryant, the county’s letter notes the project is still in the design phase.
“As you know, a new facility is desperately needed to accommodate space needs for an increased number of inmates as well as amenities that the current outdated facility is unable to provide,” Bryant wrote.
Bryant said the initial idea was to place the new facility closer to the current jail, but the footprint was not large enough.
“Because the county owns all of the property on Ferrell Lane, it was determined that the facility should be placed just to the west of the Agricultural Center,” Bryant stated.
Bryant said the town’s concerns have been passed on to the jail architects, who plan to add additional buffers and taller trees to minimize the impact on nearby residents.
“The concerns regarding additional sewer flow have also been passed along to the architects,” Bryant wrote. “Conversations have taken place regarding upgrading the current pump station. The town's engineer is in conversations with both county staff and the town of Weldon, which receives the sewer flow from the town of Halifax.”
In conclusion, Bryant wrote, “Halifax County remains committed to being a good neighbor and partner for the town of Halifax and its residents.”
