GAINESVILLE - Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) officials met with the Gainesville City Council Thursday, trying to convince the council that its use of the old Hall County Jail as a federal detention facility will be a good thing.
CCA, under a contract approved a couple of weeks ago with the Hall County Commission, plans to use the complex to house illegal immigrants who are awaiting deportation. Since then, the city council has raised questions about CCA's plans and the contract it has with the county with some members declaring that they do not want a prison in a part of town that the city is trying to revitalize - Midtown. (See earlier stories. Links below.)
Councilman George Wangemann met with CCA officials before Thursday's council work session. Wangemann says CCA plans to make the jail "securely blend in" with with Midtown.
"They are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on improving the appearance both inside and outside of the jail."
Wangemann said he will not oppose CCA's plan, adding, "it's a matter of give-and-take." But other council members are not sure.
Councilmembers Danny Dunagan and Ruth Bruner toured the old jail Thursday afternoon with a CCA official. Dunagan said he wasn't impressed with CCA's plans.
"We want it covered up, and we want our deal with the county to go through where the jail is taken out in seven and a half years," he said.
Tuesday
October 8th, 2024
10:19AM
