CUYAHOGA COUNTY, Ohio — Cuyahoga County Council has taken the next step toward building a new jail in Garfield Heights, voting to approve an ordinance to purchase 72 acres of undeveloped land for just over $38 million.
The vote, which passed by an 8-3 margin, came after a heated debate among councilmembers.
Earlier, Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne argued the county needs the site off of Granger Road and Transportation Blvd. in order to build a more humane jail.
“One that is more horizontal in nature. One that perhaps just simply breathes better and lets people get some outdoor fresh air,” Ronayne said.
The land would cost an estimated $38 million. The entire project is estimated to cost around $750 million.
“Not only will we have to decide on where the jail will go, but how will we pay for it,” said councilwoman Cheryl Stephens said, who serves as the council vice president.
“I think there is a lower cost way to build the jail because you don’t want to put your money on the acquisition of the land. You want to put your money on the building that will take good care of our residents.”
Stephens said Tuesday she would be voting no on the legislation proposing to buy the Garfield Heights land. She said the proposed project would cost too much and likely require decades of taxes to pay for it.
“I believe it should go before the people if you want 40 years of tax increases,” Stephens said.
Council chose to send a proposed 40-year sales tax extension back to committee, putting overall funding for the project somewhat in flux for the moment. The current sales tax increase is set to expire in 2027.
The current jail site in downtown Cleveland holds more than 26,000 inmates each year, according to its website. Over the summer, public works officials said the high-rise buildings are operationally inefficient and don’t have space for visits from families and attorneys.
“We have a facility right now that is a tower in the sky that isn’t good for anybody. It’s not good for those who are in the jail. It’s not good for the workers in the jail. We’ve needed for a while now to move on from a facility that is more than a half century old,” Ronayne said.
“Personally, I wouldn’t want to work there. I wouldn’t want to have anyone incarcerated there,” Councilwoman Meredith Turner said who said she would vote yes.
“Now is the time for bold leadership. I’ve lived in this city. I’ve lived in this community my whole life and I have seen us spend money endlessly for things that we want. Tonight, I’m hoping we’ll spend money for the things that we need.”
You can watch Tuesday's Cuyahoga County Council meeting below:
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