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Show New jail still possible; Commission's main topic By BRUCE LEE Record Editor PAROWAN Iron County may still get a new jail, and it may be on 100 East, where the Cedar City Redevelopment Agency has wanted it all along. In fact, the main topic of business at the Iron County Commission meeting Monday was to hear a proposal from Wells Stevens, vice president of J. Ron Stacey & Associates, a professional construction management group. In attendance at the meeting, besides the Commission, were Ninth Circuit Court Judge Christian Ronnow and representatives of Cedar City. Stevens proposed, at the Commission's request, to build a new hall of justice facility, containing a jail, courts and police and sheriff offices, and lease it back to the County, with an option to buy. However, there are still a number of unanswered questions, especially the cost of such a structure and such a business venture. The cost of building the faciliity could actually be a little less than the earlier figure of $3.9 million that was turned down by County residents in a bond election, according to Stevens. But cost estimates are nowhere near final at this stage, and more study must be completed. However, it is hoped by Stevens a and by architect Ralph Edwards of Edwards and Daniels that some of the figures can be somewhat definite by the next meeting of the Commission on Feb. 22. Stevens suggested a 15-year lease and purchase agreement, but the Commission was somewhat skeptical of such a short arrangement, with Commisisoner James L. Clark pointing out that for $3.5 million at 11 percent interest, that would come to $28,559. However, such a figure is highly unlikely, with the Commission looking more towards a 30-year payoff, as was proposed with the bond election, and the possibility of Utah State paying a good share for space used by the Ninth Circuit Court. Of course, Cedar City would also have to pay some rent for its share, thus reducing the cost even some more. Currently, projections say that 62 percent of the space in the planned-for facility will be operated ana paid for by the County; 23 percent will be shared between the County and Cedar City; and 15 percent will be used strictly by Cedar City. Payments for such would be based on a comparative formula. ' In another matter, however, the Commission was able to approve the site of the jail, at least tentatively, on 100 East between the Federal office building and Center Street. A However, Edwards was somewhat concerned that the land available is too little for such a project. He noted that the optimum amount is 4.2 acres for a one-story building. To get that much room, the County would need to purchase four homes on the west side of 200 East. However, the Commission, with the concurrence of Cedar City officials, felt that the land currently available would do for the initial building, with the rest of the purchases being considered for possible future expansion. Wells and Edwards were asked to return to the next meeting with a schematic drawing of the proposal and some cost estimates. : |