Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, October 2, 1995 TAG: 9510020080
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The maximum-security Red Onion Prison will have its ground-breaking Tuesday at the site on the Wise-Dickenson county line. On the other end of Wise County, near Big Stone Gap, Wallens Ridge Prison will have its ceremonies the week of Oct. 16.
The $72 million Red Onion facility alone is expected to provide several hundred jobs at the prison and in spin-off employment. The coalfield region has a high rate of unemployment.
Funding for the Red Onion prison was threatened during the 1995 General Assembly session. There were questions about ground compaction studies and a struggle over the deeds.
Now that the hurdles have been cleared, Richmond should take notice that Southwest Virginia is a good site for more state facilities, said Del. Clarence Phillips, D-St. Paul. His optimism is shared by both Wise and Dickenson county officials.
The Red Onion project will open doors for more industry at the site, said Damon Rasnick, a Dickenson County supervisor.
The primary road to the prison will allow access to land that can be developed for industry, he said, and water and sewer service at the site will mean more benefits in the future.
The Red Onion facility is expected to be completed in 1997 and accept prisoners a year later.
For Big Stone Gap, the $74.9 million Wallens Ridge project is the first of its kind. The town's Housing and Redevelopment Authority sold bonds to build it. The facility will be leased to the state for 20 years; then the state will own it.
Site clearing will begin soon.
by CNB