Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Prescott Loses Bid On Getting Prison Here

Prescott missed out on the new medium security prison because of the shifting clay base soil conditions in the area.

Because of the extra amount of money it would cost to build the prison in Prescott, the Arkansas Department of Corrections Site Selection Committee decided to give the nod to Malvern instead.

According to Dina Tyler, public information officer with the ADC, the difference in construction cost was why the committee picked Malvern instead of Prescott.

To build in Prescott, she said, would require setting piers 15 to 20 feet down to help stabilize the foundation. This would add 5-10 percent to the construction cost.

The ADC set aside a specific amount for site development, but, Tyler said, but the $1.6 million it would cost to develop the Prescott location exceeded what was put aside.

In addition, she said, if the prison becomes a special needs facility, Malvern has better access other facilities and has a hospital in town.

But, should there be a fatal flaw with the Malvern site, the prison will be built in Prescott.

The Malvern location will be appraised three times with an average made as the purchase price.

From there, the city will have to work with the different owners on buying the land. One person owns the majority, 331 acres, with the remaining property in several hands. All, though, have apparently agreed to sell.

Malvern will be using grant funding through the Economic Development Agency to buy the land.

"We gave it our best shot," said Walt Denton, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office. "I thought it was time for us.

"I can't see any glaring things we could do differently. The fact is Prescott and Nevada County were behind this project and it turned into a regional project for Southwest Arkansas with the other communities getting behind us."

Denton said even though Prescott didn't get the new prison, some good came out of the work done. With other communities in Southwest Arkansas working to help try and get the facility located here, he said, it broke new ground and gives all involved something to build on.

"We can do more as a region now," he said "and pursue other projects. Even though we fell short on this, if we work together as SWAR, we can get more accomplished."

Those on the ADC committee said Prescott should be happy to be the second choice, but Denton sees it differently.

There's no second place, he said, because Prescott gets nothing. "We can't be satisfied with second best. This was an all or nothing deal."

Tyler said the committee did want to come to Prescott and would have had it not been for the soil conditions.

"This isn't the last prison we'll ever build," Tyler said. "This doesn't change the fact we like Prescott, it's a wonderful community. I like to think we have a good relationship with Prescott and when we site the next one I hope they're interested.'

There could be a time, she added, when there is more money available to build with and Prescott would be an ideal location.

"With arrest rates up and longer sentencing," she said, "we'll always need more jails."

Denton said what hurt Prescott this time will still have to be overcome in the future. Soil conditions need to be addressed, as they could cause the area to lose out on other projects as well.

He suggested, on state projects, the legislature help offset such problems if more than 100 jobs are involved and a prospect is serious about coming to the area involved.

Though disappointed in not getting the prison, Denton said there are still other projects in the works people should be proud of.

The Rip Griffin Truck and Travel Center will be built here soon, all is in place for the rural water project and the library project is coming along well.

"I'll do some reflecting on it (the prison deal), but life goes on," Denton said. "Other projects are going on. We need to pick up and keep going."

Prescott sent a contingent of representatives from SWAR to Pine Bluff for the meeting. Sen. Mike Ross was there, as was Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor.

Others who went were: Hope Mayor Dennis Ramsey; Mary Godwin, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce; Judy Davis, Hope's economic development person; Mike Burke with NRS Engineering; Dick Rudolph of Arkadelphia; Joe Graham, deputy prosecuting attorney; Sen. Jim Hill; and the mayor of Camden, along with Chad Cornelius.