Port MacKenzie prison plans progress, but not locked down

PALMER — Mat-Su Borough officials aren’t expecting any major glitches as they prepare to sell bonds to finance a Borough-owned prison at Point MacKenzie that could house about 1,250 prisoners.

The Borough would lease the facility to the Alaska Department of Corrections, which would repay the bonds over 25 years. Assistant Borough Manager Marian Romano said the project is looking good.

“The idea is to keep people closer to their families,” Romano said.

The state’s direction changed dramatically from earlier plans for what the Borough termed a “mega prison” at the point. Romano said the Borough’s earlier proposal is close to the alternative the state eventually chose, adding 2,000 total beds by adding the new prison and expanding facilities at four other sites. Prisons will grow in several communities, including Bethel, Seward and Fairbanks.

More beds mean fewer prisoners held in jails Outside.

“The number of beds could change, but Bethel could get 68 beds, Seward 144 beds and Fairbanks 80 beds,” the Borough reports in a description of the project’s status.

Romano said the project and its site have several things going for them. The prison will be built by state-backed bond sales; there is plenty of water; the site has electricity and an on-site sewer. The new prison site is about a 30-minute drive from Wasilla — closer if potential workers live in subdivisions closer to the point.

“I’m sure there will be greater development near the prison,” Romano said.

The project is expected to create 250 prison staff jobs with pay on the average of $48,000 per year, plus benefits.

Travel to the Point should become a little easier as well now that, through a separate project, 14 miles of unpaved road — the patch leading to the Point — will be paved by fall 2008, Borough Manager John Duffy says in a recent report to the Borough Assembly.

Department of Corrections chief Joe Schmidt and Duffy have held a series of meetings over the last month on the prison project.

“The goal is to sell the revenue bonds in the spring of 2008 and begin turning dirt in early June of 2008,” Duffy said. “The size of the prison is now on the order of 1,250 beds. In addition to our project, the commissioner is seeking to expand prison facilities in Bethel, Seward and Fairbanks. Interestingly enough, this regional approach is similar to the proposal we put forth some six years ago.”

The Borough is allowed to develop the prison due to a 2004 piece of legislation, Senate Bill 65 sponsored by state Sen. Lyda Green. SB 65 authorizes the state to enter into an agreement with the Borough for the new prison on the point. There is already a correctional farm at Point MacKenzie.

The Borough Assembly has adopted a resolution supporting creation of a state-run prison there.

“Other communities will soon be in the process of considering adopting resolutions,” a Borough status report states. “The next step is for the involved communities to sign operating agreements. Once completed, a time table on the sale of bonds and construction will be developed. By early December, more specifics on the project will be made known.”

Contact John R. Moses at 352-2269 or john.moses@frontiersman.com.