West Ward sale won't stop jail study

Despite his disappointment in losing the West Ward site as a possible location for a jail and safety center, Reuben Hoff Jr. said the jail study is going ahead full steam, with up to five potential sites still under consideration.

"We'll be back," Hoff promised in a light-hearted reference to the term popularized by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Hoff, who is chairman of the Red Willow County Jail Task Force, was reacting after Jon Morrison withdrew his offer to sell the former grade school property to Red Willow County for $50,000.

Personally, Hoff said he favored the West Ward site because of its location -- across from McCook Memorial Auditorium on West Fifth Street -- and the reasonable price. But he said other locations also have points in their favor.

Among places the task force is thinking about as possible locations for a jail and/or safety center are Charley's Place and Hideaway Lounge, in the 500 block of West Fifth Street; the property known as the Custer site, on the northwest corner of the West 10th and J Street intersection; the land north of Four County Feed on north U.S. Highway 83; and the lots north of the Red Willow County Courthouse, which now serve as the location of Hamilton's Hair Creations and two apartment houses.

Also, Hoff reported this morning that the owner of another large centrally located property has been contacted, and expressed interest in making his site available for sale.

The search for a location is becoming more urgent, because Hoff said the county could place a jail and/or safety center issue on the ballot as early as next spring. Steps in that direction will be taken in the next few weeks. In less than two weeks -- on Tuesday, Nov. 22 -- the jail task force will meet with Allied Consultants, then on Monday, Dec. 5, the jail task force and the consultants will meet with the McCook City Council.

That session will go a long way towards determining what shape the final proposal will take. Will the county go it alone on a jail and safety center, or can the county and city find a way to work together?

"The question we have to ask ourselves is what's best for this county and this community, not only now, but 15 to 20 years into the future," Hoff said. "I'm hopeful we can work together for the benefit of all."