Shelby County Commission Chair-elect Shante Avant informed fellow members that she plans to create an ad hoc committee to study options for a new jail during a contentious discussion on funding a master plan for the proposed project at the Monday, Aug. 25, meeting.
Creating a committee would likely be one of Avant’s first actions as chair. The current vice chair will assume the center seat on the commission dais Sept. 1.
“One of the commitments I’m making is to appoint an ad hoc committee that takes into consideration all the aspects — including stakeholders, including our clerks, including our judiciary — all those folks need to be a part of this conversation,” Avant said.
The announcement topped a discussion on a resolution to fund a master plan for a new Shelby County Jail to replace the aging facility at 201 Poplar Ave. In addition to a funding source for the plan, commissioners are also considering the potential scope of a new facility.
During the meeting, the request for proposals (RFP) under discussion received numerous alterations, many proposed in an attempt to address concerns about one particular site under consideration. Commissioner Henri Brooks’ proposal was added during the Law Enforcement, Courts and Corrections Committee meeting Wednesday, Aug. 20.
The item replaced a resolution offered by Commissioner Mick Wright during the same meeting. His proposal sought $350,000 to fund the master plan. However, the original draft was ultimately scrapped due to its vagueness and the inclusion of specific properties under consideration, which drew criticism and contributed to its rejection.
Members also agreed to a “friendly amendment” by Avant to “possibly include alternate properties, not just those owned by Shelby County.” Instead, “all possible properties” will be under consideration. Additional editing came when outgoing Chairman Michael Whaley suggested striking the word “relocate” from the resolution. The change was accepted without objection.
“Certainly, that would make more sense to just keep this wide open,” Brooks said. “I would definitely agree with that.”
The County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) plan presented to the commission names three potential sites for a new jail. The home of the former Firestone tire plant in North Memphis tops the list. Other sites include the work farm at Shelby Farms and rebuilding downtown.
However, the first suggestion quickly sparked protests from concerned community members and area activists. It also led to calls for an expanded list of potential sites.
Advocates of the North Memphis location argue that relocating the entire criminal and civil justice systems could spur economic development in an underserved area, attracting law firms and supporting businesses.
In contrast, opponents have expressed a range of concerns, from “not in my backyard” sentiments to environmental issues. The land near the New Chicago community sits atop a brownfield, meaning significant cleanup would be required before a jail could be constructed there.
An amendment by Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. attempted to address many of those concerns. It revised language in Brooks’ amended resolution, adding five bullet points to “broaden” the scope of the RFP process.
“The purpose of these five is to make sure we’re not singling out a particular area,” Ford said. “I think it was wrong to single out North Memphis, and I think it’s wrong to single out Shelby Farms or whatever the case may be.”
The amendment calls for preparing an RFP to secure services to develop a master plan for “any” location in Shelby County. The county’s real estate department would also be tasked with aggregating and recommending “viable” sites. Along with potential properties, the amendment calls for square footage estimates and high-quality renderings.
Quarterly reports to the commission would also be required. The only change that didn’t survive was funding. Ford proposed allocating up to $350,000 — the original cost of the CTAS proposal — but Brooks requested that the word “funding” be removed to avoid the county being “locked into” paying. Ford agreed.
“Great. Good teamwork,” Whaley said.
The comity didn’t last. Commissioner Britney Thornton proposed an amendment to remove North Memphis from consideration. Brooks seconded it, but Commissioner Mick Wright objected.
Brooks later withdrew her second after Avant “recentered” the conversation by reminding commissioners that the resolution’s purpose is to create an RFP. All other considerations, she said, would fall to the ad hoc committee. Without a second, Thornton’s amendment did not receive a vote.
Thornton called the withdrawal a “missed opportunity.”
“When you said ‘no,’ note that your second was given and it was taken away, and it died on the floor,” Thornton said.
Brooks, who earlier stated she didn’t “support anything at Firestone,” responded sharply.
“Let me just say this for the record,” Brooks said. “I have not established a pattern where anyone can say I said I was going to vote one way and didn’t vote that way. If I say it, you can take it to the bank. That’s for sure.”
Commissioners then voted 8-1 to send the item back to committee. Thornton was the only “no” vote. The resolution is scheduled to be taken up again on Sept. 17, following the creation of the ad hoc committee.
