Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, June 29, 1993                   TAG: 9306290063
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: WYTHEVILLE                                LENGTH: Short

WYTHE JAIL STUDY MUST BE REDONE

Wythe had joined the counties of Montgomery, Pulaski, Giles and Floyd and the city of Radford last year in funding a $26,500 assessment study as the first step toward a regional jail required by the state.

Now the state says a different, more detailed study costing another $75,000 is needed. The 1993 General Assembly changed the requirements at a time when at least 20 regions were in the midst of jail projects.

The new study must include a location for the proposed 300-inmate jail and a site-preparation plan. It also must outline how utilities would be set up and define how the jail would be staffed.

Some of the cost can be reimbursed or cut from local construction money when the jail is built. Radford already has agreed to pay its $10,008 share, based on general population and jail population. Wythe's share would be $14,613.

The new study must be completed by March 1 if the state is to pay half the cost of the project.

Completion of the plan on time would let the project be included in the next state budget cycle. Any delay would mean four years rather than two years before state funding could be considered.

Any delay also would mean that all the data collected during months of work by the Planning District Commission would be out of date and have to be redone. - Southwest bureau