Politics & Government

'If You Build it They'll Fill It,' Iowa City Jail Opponents Say

Johnson County voters will be asked whether they support a $43.5 million bond to build a "county justice center" attached to the Johnson County Courthouse. Election Day is May 7, but early voting and satellite voting has begun.

Opponents of a proposal for a new Johnson County jail were strolling the University of Iowa campus on Thursday urging students and others to head to a satellite polling station at the Iowa Memorial Union and "vote no."

The proposal calls for a $43.5 million bond to build a "county justice center" attached to the Johnson County Courthouse.

For the opposing viewpoint see: 

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Supporters say the project is needed to deal with jail overcrowding that costs the county millions, as well as security issues. The opponents say the push for a new jail is essentially the same as what voters have previously rejected twice, and it will prompt law enforcement to make more arrests to fill it.

"So, the word out in the community is that if you build it, they'll fill it. People have that genuine concern," Sean L. Curtin, field director with Vote No New Jail, said during a break from passing out flyers. "This is something the county establishment has been pushing for 14 years. It's been defeated twice and they don't care about that. They're bringing this back for the third time. You're vote in November was thrown in the garbage."

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Election Day for the special election is on May 7.

Here is the official language:

Shall the County of Johnson, State of Iowa, issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not exceeding the amount of $43,500,000 for the purpose of erecting and equipping a County Justice Center, to solve current safety, security and space needs of the Sheriff, jail and court operations, in a structure to be located adjacent to and incorporating the existing historic courthouse?

Here is a satellite voting schedule:

Wed. May 1

  • Old Capitol Town Center, 11 am-5 pm
  • North Liberty Community Center, 2 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Thurs. May 2

  • Iowa City Public Library, 11 am-6 pm

Fri. May 3

  • University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 10 am – 4 PM
  • Iowa City Public Library, 11 am-6 pm

Sat. May 4

  • Coralville Public Library, 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Iowa City Public Library, 10 am-6 pm

Sun. May 5

  • Coralville Public Library, Noon – 4 pm
  • Iowa City Public Library, Noon – 5 pm


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