Industrial park chosen to house new Creek County jail

SAPULPA, Okla. (AP) _ Existing water and sewer service make a Sapulpa industrial park the best site to locate the new $8.7 million Creek County jail, officials say. <br><br>The 11-acre site north of the

Friday, November 8th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SAPULPA, Okla. (AP) _ Existing water and sewer service make a Sapulpa industrial park the best site to locate the new $8.7 million Creek County jail, officials say.

The 11-acre site north of the city and near Interstate 44 was chosen by Creek County officials on Thursday. The selection comes a year after voters approved a one-cent county sales tax to construct the 234-bed jail, fund jail operations and improve county roads and bridges.

The industrial park was the ``best place overall,'' said Drumright attorney Tim Daniel, who headed a site search subcommittee.

Sheriff Steve Toliver said the jail construction costs would be less in the industrial park than at other sites because the land already is owned by the county.

District Attorney Max Cook said the site ``is one of few sites where we can start turning dirt tomorrow.''

Industrial park tenants reacted favorably to the jail, but nearby residents who fear noise and jail escapes protested. The Allen-Bowden Elementary School is three miles north of the site along old Oklahoma Highway 66.

County Commissioner Dana Hudgins, who had advised the authority on other sites, had wanted a larger tract that could house other county facilities in the future.

The three county commissioners also had wanted the jail on the west side of Sapulpa to make it closer to Bristow and Drumright.

``But that wasn't to be,'' Hudgins said.

There will be more site testing before the jail architect finalizes plans. The authority hopes to seek bids in early 2003, with construction and occupancy within a year.

The current jail next to the county courthouse has been threatened with closure by the state Health Department because of crowding.