Relocating the Muskogee County Regional Juvenile Detention Center — provided all legal obstacles can be cleared — would be best for economic development in Muskogee.
The county-owned facility sits in the 600 block of West Shawnee Bypass in the middle of an area just ripe for development.
Within the past few years, the area has grown to include a Walmart, Best Buy, Chili’s, Tractor Supply and Buffalo Wild Wings.
Several other business have set up shop along that corridor.
The detention center will keep the area from reaching its economic potential if it remains in place.
The center holds the spot of a potential sales tax-producing business.
It also could have the effect of discouraging development along that side of Shawnee.
Some businesses may worry their customers will not want to do business next door to a facility designed to segregate inmates from the public.
The city and county will soon begin to study the feasibility of moving the facility or consolidating it with another facility.
There is concern that the county might not be able to move the facility because the property was granted to the city from the Office of Juvenile Affairs.
Once that hurdle is cleared, the city and county could begin negotiating some kind of land swap to find a new home for the center.
The center sits on a piece of property that can be used for new retail stores or restaurants.
Shawnee Bypass is a cornerstone of economic development for the city.
A detention facility discourages that development.
Opinion
June 24, 2012
Move center in favor of business
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