ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, March 15, 1997 TAG: 9703170043
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RADFORD
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA THE ROANOKE TIMES
The state decided a site for making explosives didn't mix well with teen offenders.
A proposed boot camp at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant got the boot from the state after Juvenile Justice Department officials inspected the proposed site and deemed it "potentially hazardous."
Rebound, a Denver-based company, had won a "notice of intent" from the state last November to renovate two barracks in the southeastern portion of the arsenal for male juvenile offenders ages 12 to 17. There was no signed contract, however, between the state and Rebound, according to Cari Brunelle, spokeswoman for the Juvenile Justice Department.
Brunelle said Rebound had done safety checks as part of its proposal, but the justice department's internal standards are "very strict," she said.
"It's unfortunate it happened because we realize the public support was there, but we can't put a facility where it clearly violates state standards," Brunelle said.
Brunelle could not give specific examples of what officials deemed hazardous by state standards, but said there were several activities or elements considered "potential hazards" at the arsenal that kept the boot camp from being located there.
The arsenal is owned by the federal government and operated by Alliant Techsystems Inc. Among the businesses currently running at the arsenal are a fireworks company, a wellness center and a company that manufactures chemical explosives.
Alliant officials would not comment about the decision beyond a prepared statement released Friday morning that stated: "Alliant regrets the decision as the surrounding community has supported the proposed location, but understands the strict standard covering youth camp locations and the Commonwealth's withdrawal from the site."
Lt. Col. Paul E. Wojciechowski, plant commander, said the arsenal "safely" manufactures propellant for M-1 tanks and small rocket motors and gunpowder for smaller weapons. Despite what he called "an excellent safety and environmental record," the chemical industry can be dangerous, he said.
As a parent, Wojciechowski said he understood the concern of putting boys in a detention facility at the arsenal. But he emphasized that he still thinks the arsenal is a safe place where 1,200 workers come and go each day.
The barracks that had been allotted for the boot camp are now available for other potential tenants, according to Alliant. The arsenal will seek other businesses under the federal initiative to get private industry into the site and help reuse vacant buildings and space.
The state is back renegotiating a location for a boot camp, Brunelle said. The two finalists, Rebound and Youth Services International, may submit new proposals which would include, in Rebound's case, a new site location.
An official at Youth Services International said the company will definitely pursue the contract. It currently runs the first boot camp opened in Virginia in Isle of Wight County in January 1996.
Jane O'Shaughnessy, chief executive officer for Rebound, said although her company was disappointed to lose Radford as a site, they have every intention of finding a new site and winning the contract.
Neither company would reveal potential sites being considered at this time.
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