For Immediate Release --- October 2nd, 2023

For More Information Contact:

Commissioner Carrie Blumert (405) 713-1501

Oklahoma County – Today, the Oklahoma County Board of County Commissioners took a major step forward in constructing the new Oklahoma County jail. Following a discussion in Executive Session, District One Commissioner Carrie Blumert made a motion to authorize staff to begin discussions with the City of Oklahoma City and the Airport Trust Authority for up to 192 acres located at South Newcastle Road and SW 54th Street, to the immediate northeast of the Will Rogers World Airport.

The Airport Trust submitted the 192-acre site in response to the county's request for proposals seeking potential sites for the new jail. All sites submitted to the county were reviewed over several weeks by the Citizens Bond Oversight Advisory Board, led by chair Steve Mason.

"I am pleased the Airport Trust offered this property for the county's consideration," said the Commissioner, “I am excited to work with our partners at the City of Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma City Airport Trust to make this location a reality. The site selection process has taken most of 2023, and I am ready to move forward with the next step in this process.”

The Citizens Bond Oversight Advisory Board was established to provide recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on all aspects of the new jail's construction.

At their meeting last week, the Oversight Board recommended the BOCC consider four potential locations, which included today's selected location.

When asked why she preferred the location offered by the Airport Trust, Blumert said the site checked nearly all the boxes the county was looking for in a location, especially in its potential to "limit the impact on our neighborhoods and schools." Blumert added the location is in a predominantly industrial area, and the federal government operates at least two correctional facilities in close proximity to the proposed location.

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