Northeast OKC residents say no thanks to donation of land for new county jail
Some residents who call northeast Oklahoma City home would prefer to see the new county jail located elsewhere besides a 77-acre plot of land near Kelley Avenue and Britton Road.
The land was offered to the county as a cost-free option.
The property, at 9420 N Kelley Ave., is owned by Bergen Real Estate LLC, a Norman-based company led by Susan Bergen that operates within several business lines, including restaurants, agricultural and energy pursuits, investments, land management and sustainable resource development projects.
The discontent over the donated site could be a precursor of what's to come as county officials wade through 13 possible locations for the new jail.
Nearby school, business at root of some objections to Oklahoma County jail location
One issue causing concerns is that the donated land is adjacent to Harding Charter Preparatory High School.
Residents fear county leaders could choose the location by default since it wouldn't require use of any of the $260 million in bond revenues the county has available to design and build its new facility.
"I do not think it is the most appropriate area for the new Oklahoma County jail because of its closeness to Harding," said the Rev. Major Jemison, senior pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 5700 N Kelley Ave., in Oklahoma City.
"We don't want to expose our kids to that kind of environment, and/or the possibility they could be put into danger," he said.
More: 77-acre plot of land offered for free to Oklahoma County for new jail site
"We know what the history of the Oklahoma County jail has been with inmates escaping, and we are concerned about what could happen with the new facility. I think it is a real bad place to put the county jail."
Jemison, who also is the president of the Baptist Ministers Association of Oklahoma City and vicinity, said there are plenty of other suitable, vacant properties across Oklahoma County where a jail could be built that wouldn't be a direct threat to kids.
"Putting the jail on this property north of Britton Road would be a disservice to the kids that go to the school and their parents," he said.
Another issue involves ongoing composting operations conducted near the property Bergen wants to donate that is operated by one of her companies, Prairie Dirt Solutions.
Neighbors near the composting facility have asked Bergen to adjust activities to reduce odor and issues including recent fires.
Because of those complaints, city officials had been working with Bergen with hopes she might move her composting operation further away from those businesses and the high school, which would have put it on part of the property offered to Oklahoma County as its jail location, said Oklahoma City Ward 7 Councilwoman Nikki Nice.
Decision to donate land comes as shock to council member
Despite pledges from Bergen to work with neighbors to address those concerns, her decision to offer the property as a jail site shocked Nice, who represents that part of the community.
Nice said she had hoped Bergen might develop the property into homes.
More: What we know about properties offered to become new home of Oklahoma County jail
"It was quite surprising to see that instead of her going forward with trying to create plans for housing — a place of refuge — she wants to donate it to be used as a place for incarceration.
"That's a concern for me, our community, and it is a slap in the face to nearby business owners who have asked her to do better on her property ... and work to be a better neighbor," Nice said. "Her decision to donate the property is outright disappointing."
Attempts to reach Bergen Thursday were not successful.
But reactions from Jemison and Nice prompted County Commissioner Carrie Blumert, who represents that area of Oklahoma City, to reassure residents the offer is just an offer.
While Blumert said she, too, is concerned about the site's proximity to the school, she also said "our Citizens Bond Oversight Advisory Board will review this property like all others submitted to the county.”
The Bergen property is just one of an additional seven added to a list of six others the board and the jail's architect are considering as potential locations. Four other submitted locations already have been dropped as potential locations.
More: Four more sites offered as potential home of new Oklahoma County jail. Find out where they are
The additional offers made this week highlight properties in eastern, northeastern, southeastern and western Oklahoma County. One woman also offered a Canadian County property.
What we know: The latest offers as possible locations for the new Oklahoma County jail
Interstate frontage in west Oklahoma City
Owner: Bigbee LLC
Location: 900 S Council
Size: 60 acres
Zoning: Industrial
Asking price: $15 million
Generally speaking: This property on the east side of Council is bordered on the north by the Interstate 40 Frontage Road and bordered on the south by the North Canadian River. It extends east from Council Road by about a half mile.
Urban location near Tinker Air Force base offered
Owner: Jeff Moore
Location: Post Road and I-40
Size: 45 acres
Zoning: Residential
Asking price: $1.5 million
Generally speaking: This triangle-shaped piece of land is bordered by I-40 on the north Post Road on the east, and a trailer park on the northwest corner of Post and SE 44.
Canadian County land offered
Owner: Lisa Gibbon
Location: 5501 N Morgan Road, Yukon
Size: 137 acres
Zoning: Agriculture
Asking price: $5.7 million
Generally speaking: Because this property is located in Canadian County, its not likely it will be considered.
Land near major interchange offered
Owner: Meadows 61 LLC
Location: Southwest frontage at the interchange of the Kilpatrick Turnpike and I-35
Size: 62.98 acres
Zoning: A planned unit development that includes high-density residential and commercial uses
Asking price: About $11.7 million
Generally speaking: This balloon-shaped property is located between the southwest side of the interchange and a restaurant and truck stop on NE 122.
Industrial location in southwest Oklahoma City offered
Owner: South Rail Point LLC
Location: 3800 SW 29
Size: 38.07 acres
Zoning: Industrial
Asking price: $3.5 million, or will trade for the current jail's location after it has been demolished
Generally speaking: This rectangle shaped piece of land is bordered by SW 29 and a creek on the north and west, Portland on the east and Newcastle Road on the south. The tree-covered property is surrounded by commercial businesses.
Rural southeastern county property offered
Owner: TJK Investments
Location: On Post Road's west side SE 59 and SE 74
Size: 53 acres
Zoning: Agriculture
Asking price: $3.3 million
Generally speaking: This is a square-shaped property on the west side of Post Road midway between SE 59 and SE 74.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Northeast OKC residents air concerns about potential home for new jail
