It's official: Monroe County's new jail and justice complex will be built on the North Park property, first proposed eight months ago as an ideal site.
During a work session this week, county commissioners and council members agreed, despite concerns from Ellettsville-area residents and chamber of commerce officials there and in Bloomington, North Park is the best location.
Even those who had wanted to investigate putting the jail and county justice-related offices at another proposed site — at Vernal Pike and Woodyard Road — conceded environmental and sinkhole concerns would be too much to overcome.
The Vernal Pike option came with too many unknowns and large residential areas nearby. People at community input sessions voiced their opposition to having the jail so close to their homes.
At their Wednesday morning meeting, the commissioners voted unanimously to purchase 52 acres at North Park, off Ind. 46 at Hunter Valley Road between Bloomington and Ellettsville. The cost is $11.4 million, or about $219,000 an acre.
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