County discusses prison land options

Blair leaders meet privately on potential property purchase

HOLLIDAYSBURG -- Blair County commissioners on Friday convened their second executive session to discuss a potential property purchase for what's likely an effort toward a new county prison.

Commissioners, who are allowed under the state's Sunshine Law to discuss potential land purchases during executive session, said Tuesday that they're not yet ready for public discussion about the properties.

"We're still working on what properties are to be included in the (prison) feasibility study," commissioner Laura Burke said.

"We'd love to make a decision and get everything taken care of, on whatever level we need," Commissioner Amy Webster added. "But we're trying to be as careful as we can."

In 2022, Burke and Webster, along with former commissioner Bruce Erb, voted to authorize TransSystems Corp. to complete a feasibility study for replacing the county's aged prison -- using a state grant to pay the $185,400 cost, except for a small portion to be covered by county funds.

In late 2023, commissioners said that the work done so far on the study had focused on exploring potential construction sites.

They also acknowledged putting a hold on the project in late 2023 to await the January seating of first-year commissioner Dave Kessling, who succeeded Erb.

When Kessling, Webster and Burke campaigned in 2023 for the commissioner seats they won in the November election, each submitted information to the Mirror which identified plans for the prison as one of the county's biggest needs to address.

The original portion of the prison, built in 1868 and finished in 1869, supplemented by additions and renovations in 1983, 1990 and 2004, houses and feeds about 350 inmates in crowded conditions with limited space for rehabilitation and medical services.

The cost of operating the prison has been steadily increasing. In 2024, its budget is $13.93 million or 28% of the county's $48.96 million in anticipated expenditures.

Commissioners said Tuesday that they did agree during Friday's executive session on their need to meet again.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.