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1. Why do we need to build a new facility?

In order to satisfy legal requirements as to overcrowding, the current jail, with a bed count of 732, must remain at or under a census of 622 individuals in order to not be deemed overcrowded. The jail could potentially have two additional floors added to a portion which would add 226 beds, resulting in a target census of 822 individuals. A review of the jail’s census over the past five years reflects that adding on to the existing jail will not resolve overcrowding. With a target of 822 inmates to avoid overcrowding, the jail would be full and likely overcrowded from the day the addition opens. Unfortunately, a new jail is necessary.

The new facility is being constructed for a target number of 1,300 beds, but there will never be that many individuals incarcerated for a number of reasons: The new facility will be constructed with more space for physical and mental care. Areas will be engineered to be more sensory-friendly for certain inmates with mental health concerns. In addition, some pods will be female only, and there are restrictions on what level of offenders may be housed together. All of these segregation considerations mean that at any given time, some number of beds will be unused. And finally, the current jail was over rated capacity, 80 percent full, from the date of opening. The goal is for that not be a factor for many years.

2. What will happen to the current Jail?

The land and building will more than likely be sold. The building would probably be torn down, but unknown if by the seller or by the buyer.

3. Have any developers shown interest in purchasing the current Jail site?

No, but it will be several years until the new jail is built.

4. Has the City of Fort Wayne shown interest or plans for the downtown location?

No.

5. Why do you purchase this location for construction?

Allen County initiated a thorough review of properties throughout the county and our architect and engineering team scored them based on a lengthy list of criteria. Several areas which citizens have inquired about were were investigated in some way or another. You can read all about the investigation process and final analysis under the Information tab - Site Selection.

6. How will the existing building on Meyer Road be used?

The county does own 41 buildings of various shapes and sizes and wants to consolidate its overall footprint. If a vacated property can be sold, it will be sold, as we have no desire to hold on to empty buildings. Money from the sale of county properties is deposited into the county’s General Fund and County Council would decide how it is then used. It has not been determined what departments or county functions may be relocated to the 2911 Meyer Road facility.

7. Will the electric grid be increased and how might that affect residents?

Increasing the electrical grid is not necessary. No EMF (electromotive force aka radiation) harmful to humans or animals is anticipated to be emitted. The amount emitted will be significantly lower than the overhead power lines that already sit in the easement north of the property.  

There is no plan to utilize solar energy in this project. 

There is no plan to utilize wind power in this project.

8. Will there be a cell tower constructed?

There is no plan for a cell tower on this property. If it were one-day planned, the Allen County Land-use Ordinance has rules about heights, setbacks, and locations of cell towers. 

9. What are plans for the storm water runoff with such a large footprint?

There will be two dry detention ponds in the plans along with properly engineered tiles and drains on the property.

 The engineer notes: All storm water runoff generated from the project will be collected and conveyed to the proposed storm water detention basins through new storm sewer pipes and grass swales.  The storm water will then be detained within the detention basins and released at a controlled rate into the miscellaneous drain which is where the site drains today. The detention basins will detain the water and release it at a rate of 0.18cfs/acre per the City of Fort Wayne Storm Water Engineering and Development Services standards and specifications. Storm water runoff leaving the developed site will be greatly reduced from the rate at which it leaves the site in its existing condition.

10. How will the construction affect wetland areas and wildlife?

Two wetland areas sit in the wooded areas – not where the building will go. One will be preserved as part of the detention pond. Wildlife can share the property with us. Nothing on site will be harmful to them. The building is going where a tilled, productive soybean field, which has been treated with herbicide, currently exists; so there will be little to no disruption to habitats. Wildflowers in this field have been purposely killed since this land has been farmed. 

We will follow all rules and regulations required of any permitting agency at the local, state, and federal level.

11. Why should Sunnymede bear the burden of double the current downtown capacity?

The inmate count in the new jail will not double once it is built. The facility will be built with future county population in mind.

12. How does the Jail effect the neighborhood?

Allen County does not have the ability to provide monetary compensation to nearby residents for possible valuation concerns due to our planned development. This is not something that occurs with developments of any kind. There is a difference between market value and tax value of homes. Market values may be impacted by all sorts of factors, but swings in market value have little impact on tax value and therefore on the imposition of property taxes. Local government units like New Haven are funded from a variety of taxes and fees, in addition to property taxes. The presence of a jail near New Haven will have minimal impact to any taxes or fees supporting the operations of the City of New Haven. 

Individuals released from the jail do not have a right to be on private property, same as any other person (right of exclusion) and you are free to use your personal property in whatever lawful manner you would like (right of enjoyment). In addition, the operations inside the jail will impact no one undertaking daily activities. It is a secure confinement facility; inmates are not able to leave without a court order to release them. 

13. Neighbors don't want to look at the jail facility.

A dirt berm will be placed along most of the north side of the property and much of the west side. There will also be trees planted on the north property line to block views, as well as a fence. The detention ponds are dry, and when they do fill with water following a storm, will drain within 12-24 hours. The requested fence will help keep people off the county's property.

It is impossible to block every view of the jail from every angle to the northwest and west side of the property. However, the jail will be constructed to look like a run of the mill industrial or logistics building that you would see in any business park in Allen County. 

14. Will this location create a strain on the New Haven Police Department?

Allen County does not need to be furnished with police protection as the presence of a county jail facility does not require additional police protection in the surrounding area;  Quite the opposite. The presence of police officers bringing arrestees to the jail should lead to a great public safety presence in this area of western New Haven and east central Fort Wayne.