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Recommendation on Where to Move the State Prison Will be Delayed

Members of the legislative commission charged with recommending a new site for the state prison will take longer than expected to reach a decision.

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The commission had a deadline of August 1 to deliver a recommendation to on where the new prison should be located, but officials said this week that it will likely take an additional 30 to 60 days to reach a decision.  Davis County Republican Senator Jerry Stevenson co-chairs the commission. He says one of the reasons for the delay is that commission members are exploring what it would take to purchase each of the sites being considered.

“We’re still working on land contracts with the landowners on all sides. So as a result, it’s very difficult for us to announce a particular site until we have some kind of a contract put together,” said Stevenson.

Among the sites being considered for the new prison location are land west of Salt Lake City International Airport, a site south of Eagle Mountain and one in the town of Fairfield.  The prison is currently located in Draper. The next meeting is scheduled for July 16.  Stevenson says members will review a report detailing geography and infrastructure of the sites being considered.  The commission will also announce its new deadline for issuing a recommendation. 

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