THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 18, 1996 TAG: 9609180443
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KATRICE FRANKLIN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 32 lines
The city began paving the way Tuesday for a state-proposed, privately owned and operated juvenile detention center to be built in Suffolk.
The Planning Commission voted unanimously to amend the city's public land district ordinance to include privately owned juvenile detention centers.
The existing ordinance allows only publicly owned jails and detention centers.
The matter will go before the City Council next month.
Three months ago, the state began accepting applications for a correction facility to be located in the Hampton Roads area.
Several companies have contacted Suffolk officials with interest in building the center in the city.
The General Assembly will make the final decision on building the center during its next session.
If the state approves the facility and the location, Suffolk could eventually house two such facilities.
The city began searching for a consultant three months ago to study whether Western Tidewater should have its own regional juvenile detention center.
Although the consultant has not yet been hired, officials said the center, which would be separate from the state facility, would serve the Fifth Judicial District.
Tidewater's only other juvenile facility is in Chesapeake. It has just been expanded.
KEYWORDS: JUVENILE DENTION CENTER PRIVATE by CNB