- How was the consultant chosen?
- What will the consultants do?
- Why focus on downtown?
- What will any new buildings look like?
- Will the consultants be looking at innovative approaches to housing prisoners?
- Who is the contact person for this project?
1. How was the consultant chosen?
The first steps in this process were taken during the 2007-2008 budget cycle when the Board of Clark County Commissioners appropriated $250,000 to study the issue. To begin the planning process, the Board formed an executive team of the County Administrator, the directors of General Services and the Office of Budget and Information Services, and members of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office and Superior and District Courts.
This team issued a Request for Proposals (RFP #492) for the Clark County, Washington Downtown Campus Development Plan and Law & Justice Space/Requirements Determination. In competition with four other companies, Carter Goble Associates, Inc. of Columbia, South Carolina, submitted a winning bid in the amount of $168,850, plus $22,298 for costs such as travel, printing and supplies. Clark County has entered into a professional services contract with this firm.
2. What will the consultants do?
Expected to take until March, the study will include population estimates through 2027 and a specialized demographic forecast prepared with the help of county and state staff.
Nine main tasks are included in the contract:
- An assessment of existing county campus facilities.
- Compilation of county demographic and criminal justice data.
- Forecasts of inmate populations, plus judicial, law enforcement, general government, staffing, and jail needs through 2027.
- Key staff interviews with county and criminal justice system staff.
- Space plans through 2027.
- Recommendations regarding opportunities to improve the system.
- Recommendations for law enforcement and court technologies.
- Optimal building circulation plan and building relationship diagrams.
- Cost benefit analysis, including estimated cost of design and construction costs, estimated annual maintenance costs, potential risks and changes that will improve the final results.
3. Why focus on downtown?
While the consultants are not restricted from looking at sites in other areas of the county, the downtown campus already offers several benefits. The existing jail is located in this area next to the courthouse, which makes it relatively easy to transport prisoners awaiting trial. Also, the county already owns several buildings near the current jail and courthouse.
4. What will any new buildings look like?
The county is very aware of the need to keep costs down on any new county building projects, while at the same time making any facilities fit with existing county buildings and with the emphasis on renewal in Vancouver’s downtown area. The county will be looking to design buildings that are both efficient and attractive while meeting the county’s “green” requirements.”
5. Will the consultants look at innovative approaches to housing prisoners?
The consultants will be making recommendations regarding opportunities to improve effectiveness and/or efficiency of facilities with structural, organizational, procedural or policy changes. This could include recommendations regarding alternatives to incarceration such as treatment, work release or other programs, and recommendations for best practices in docketing and other court caseload management techniques.
Also, the consultants will be looking at other counties to see if jail space can be made available on a cost-effective basis.
6. Who is the contact person for this project?
The public is invited to send written comments on this project to:
Mark McCauley, director
Clark County General Services
1300 Franklin St., Suite 650, Vancouver, WA 98660
FAX (360) 397-6027 or e-mail Mark McCauley@clark.wa.gov
