GOVERNOR AFFIRMS WILSONVILLE / DAMMASCH SITE
 
On May 15th, Governor Kitzhaber announced he would accept the recommendations of his Correctional Facility Siting Authority and selected the Dammasch State Hospital site for the construction of the Tri County Women´s Prison/Intake Center after a second round of examining approximately 180 sites for a possible prison location in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties.
 
The on-site development budget for the 1,112 bed, dual function facility, and the property acquisition process have already begun. Design work has been underway by the New Prison Start-up Team, Facilities Division and the architects, DLR Group, since last summer. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 1998 pending authorization to proceed by the Legislative Emergency Board. Some bills being considered by the Legislature could impact this and other prison sitings.
 
Legal challenges to the Wilsonville site are expected, and in fact, the first motions were received the same day as the Governor´s announcement. Any appeal is made directly to the Oregon Supreme Court. Legal challenges are anticipated to be resolved before construction begins. Experience with an earlier challenge to the Oakridge site has shown a relatively quick response by the Supreme Court. A motion filed by individuals opposed to the Oakridge siting in January was overturned by the Court in April.
 
The final public hearings of the Correctional Facility Siting Authority were held May 9, 10 and 11, over the Mother´s Day weekend. The hearings were for the Lane County Men´s Medium Security Facility and the Jackson County Minimum Security Work Camp and eventual men´s medium security facility. A preliminary announcement has been made to accept the Milliron Road site in Junction City and Stimpson Gulch site outside of Medford. Final recommendations by the Siting Authority were made to Governor Kitzhaber on May 23, and he is expected to make his decisions by June 9.
 
The 400 bed Jackson County Men´s Minimum Security Work Camp is expected to be completed by March of 2005 and the 1,636 bed Lane County Men´s Medium Security Complex is scheduled for completion in November of 2005.