Oklahoma County seeks land for new county jail, associated facilities

Jack Money, Oklahoman
·2 min read
This drone image shows the Oklahoma County jail, looking east toward the downtown Oklahoma City skyline.
This drone image shows the Oklahoma County jail, looking east toward the downtown Oklahoma City skyline.

Oklahoma County commissioners on Tuesday began the process of finding land for the construction of a new county jail. Commissioners authorized seeking offers from people who own between 40 and 80 acres.

Landowners can either donate or offer to sell land to the county. They are being asked to provide utility availability information, zoning and ownership history and access points available from nearby major roads. Proposals will be due 21 days after a request for proposals is published.

Oklahoma County will use funds from a $260 million bond issue voters approved in June to replace the current jail, $40 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars recently reserved for an associated mental health facility and other county revenue to pay for the project. Officials initially estimated it would cost about $300 million to build but said this week that number probably has climbed about 6% because of inflation.

More:After deaths, failed health inspections, Oklahoma County jail changing intake process

Oversight board seated to help with land acquisition, design and construction for new Oklahoma County jail

A seven-member Citizens Bond Oversight Advisory Board that met Tuesday for a first time will help commissioners as they work through the land selection and jail design and construction process. Here is a look at who was appointed to the advisory board:

The Oklahoma County Citizens Bond Oversight Advisory Board met Tuesday to discuss the process the county will follow to find a place to build and operate a new jail. From left to right, members are Xavier Neira, Sandino Thompson, Chairman Steve Mason, Joanne Davis, Mike Mize, Larry Stevens and Pat McCoy.
The Oklahoma County Citizens Bond Oversight Advisory Board met Tuesday to discuss the process the county will follow to find a place to build and operate a new jail. From left to right, members are Xavier Neira, Sandino Thompson, Chairman Steve Mason, Joanne Davis, Mike Mize, Larry Stevens and Pat McCoy.

  • Steve Mason, a civil engineer, entrepreneur and developer who works with CEOs and business owners to help them develop and grow their businesses.

  • Larry Stevens, who served as Edmond's city manager for 20 years before retiring in June.

  • Joanne Davis, who managed strategic services procurement activities for the U.S. Defense Department for decades and is the executive director of the Oklahoma City Black Chamber of Commerce.

  • Mike Mize, a retired real estate specialist who has nearly a half-century of experience in construction and development.

  • Pat McCoy, president and founder of a company that designs and develops specialty government, and privately owned correctional facilities.

  • Sandino Thompson, who has 20 years of experience in successfully managing multi-million-dollar commercial and residential construction projects.

  • Xavier Neira, who spent decades working for Manhattan Construction before founding and leading a real estate development and consulting firm that specializes in commercial and mixed-use construction and development projects.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma County Commissioners begin looking for new county jail home

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