So many proposals, so few decisions. That applies to too many aspects of state government, which tends to enrich consultants via studies and assessments for years before making a commitment, if one is even made.
To wit: Relocation of the outdated Oahu Community Correctional Center, which is sorely in need of modernization and more capacity; further, its prime Dillingham location is better suited for transit-oriented development, with the rail project making it way into Honolulu’s urban core.
But where to relocate? How big a structure? And at what cost?
In August, things finally seemed to be gelling, with state prison officials completing an environmental impact statement for the jail’s replacement and tagging the Halawa site now used by the state Animal Quarantine Station. But the $525 million estimated cost, as well as calls to decrease prison population via pretrial reforms, have raised doubts.
Now comes House Bill 1177, which raises a seemingly attractive option: Buy the Honolulu Federal Detention Center (FDC) near the airport — a fairly modern, well-under-capacity facility that already is housing some 160 OCCC overflow inmates. The $170 million facility opened in 2001, and reportedly can house up to 1,200 prisoners but is only about half full.
State Rep. Gregg Takayama is championing the FDC buy, which also has Gov. David Ige’s ear. One big obstacle, though: No word on whether the feds are even open to selling.
“Four years ago, there was no interest (by the Obama administration),” said Ige, about a previous purchase attempt. “We decided that we are going to make another effort to reach out to see if the current administration is willing to sell or lease the FDC.”
Ige said he’ll try to connect with the Federal Bureau of Prisons later this month while in Washington, D.C., for the National Governors Association meeting.
Hearing definitive interest — or disinterest — from the feds surely would help, to inform the state’s path. That’s because already in the legislative hopper is a request for yet another consulting job: for a $5 million feasibility study for financing a new jail at Halawa.
