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I am writing to oppose the recent move by the majority of commissioners to acquire the land now owned by the Alto Rest Cemetery Association through eminent domain.
I recently drove by the old prison. I am curious if the board has requested an RFP to demolish the original portion of the prison, then demolish the county/borough building adjacent to that structure, and acquire the three structures that remain on the prison side of the block.
I observed that one of the three additional houses appeared to be vacant. I think this would leave the space required to construct a two- or three-floor new addition, which would be connected to the 1983 section of the prison.
The cost savings I believe would be significant and would negate the hand-wringing over where to construct a new prison farther away from the courthouse.
The current location facilitates easier transport of inmates to and from the courthouse and has been in the borough for the duration of the county's existence.
I feel, as a taxpayer, to place the burden of an additional $95-$123 million debt on the back of taxpayers at this time is unjustified and unwarranted.
I fully realize that infrastructure ages, but as good stewards of taxpayer monies, the commissioners must examine fiscal realities and understand the county tax base is contracting as the population ages and shrinks.
Eric Prendergast
Duncansville