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| Development options for San Quentin |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 07/12/2001 |
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The land underlying one of the nation's most historic prisons could be worth nearly $665 million if it is developed into 3,500 new homes, a new government study says. But it would cost more than $800 million to replace San Quentin State Prison, built in 1852, with two new prisons elsewhere in the state, the California Department of General Services estimated in a report released recently. 'It's antiquated and it's not as secure as it should be,'' said Youth and Adult Correctional Agency spokesman Steve Green. 'Particularly our death row inmates need to be in a more secure environment than they are now.'' The study offered three options for using the underlying 275 acres situated on San Francisco Bay in Marin County, one of the nation's wealthiest: -Replace it with 506 homes while reusing a number of the prison's historic buildings. -Build 2,097 homes, including about 300 units of affordable housing, plus a number of shops, while retaining fewer historic buildings. -Build 3,585 homes, 500 units of affordable housing, including some taller multifamily housing, while moderately reusing the existing historic buildings. The last two options include an intermodal ferry terminal, which is the major goal of Marin County officials eager to cut highway congestion by increasing the use of public transportation. The current 5,700 involuntary residents likely aren't going anywhere soon, though state lawmakers are considering moving a portion of San Quentin's death row population to a different prison. Previous studies on vacating the prison date back to at least 1984 without result, Green said. The Department of Corrections would likely phase out its use over three to five years if the decision is eventually made to close it. State Assemblyman Bill Leonard, who sought the report, was disappointed the study appeared to assume the prison will be closed without offering a definitive recommendation whether it should be. However, he agrees with corrections officials that it is time to close the facility. Marin County Supervisor Steve Kinsey, whose district includes the prison, said the next step is likely creating a citizens advisory committee to work on options for the site. Gov. Gray Davis' budget, under review by lawmakers, contains $250,000 to continue the study. Green said hazardous materials built up on the property over the last 150 years could sharply increase the cost of development. But the department's study so far found no indication of major dangerous areas. Kinsey said he's concerned the entire site could be declared a historic area, prohibiting destroying some buildings. |
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