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Should the Utah State Prison at Point of the Mountain in Draper be relocated and a new correctional facility constructed elsewhere? It is a mega-million dollar question of enormous consequence! Yet, in KSL’s view, it is a question worthy of asking and, more importantly, of answering.
It is why we welcome the Huntsman administration’s request for proposals to examine the economic feasibility of moving the prison. A number of firms are bidding for the contract to do the feasibility study. One of them is expected to be selected by mid-June. The goal is to have the study in the hands of the legislature by early next year.
The prison, of course, sits on hundreds of acres of land that is becoming more valuable with each passing year. But, is it valuable enough that it can be liquidated by the state to offset the costs of constructing a new facility elsewhere? And beyond the economics involved, what would be the social and practical consequences of such a move?
While it is premature for developers to line up capital, and demolition crews to ready wrecking balls, the decision to at least explore the feasibility of relocating the aging prison complex, in KSL’s view, is appropriate and timely.
