Independent Consultant Names Benson Road Site Best Prison Location
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden announced that the third-party consultant for the prison task force ranked the Benson Road site as the best prison location among the options under consideration. The analysis was done by Arrington Watkins, the prison task force’s independent consultant.
“If you followed the prison task force, you know that our consultant did an analysis of the Lincoln County site and five alternative sites, based on several criteria, and scored the Lincoln County site the highest,” said Lt. Governor Tony Venhuizen. “The Benson Road site, though, had not been offered at that time and was not scored. The prison task force’s consultant has analyzed this new site and now considers the Benson Road site to be the best site available.”
Arrington Watkins cited the following as prime attributes contributing to the Benson Road site’s favorable rating:
- It is within a preferred 30-mile radius of Sioux Falls;
- Site utilities, including water, sewer, storm, and power, are available along Benson Road;
- Multiple points of entry exist; and
- Minimal additional costs will be needed to extend utilities.
Governor Larry Rhoden previously announced that the State of South Dakota has entered into a purchase agreement that grants the State the option to purchase land at the Benson Road site. This agreement represents over $10 million savings on what was estimated by the prison task force.
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I thought this prison location was an obvious one from the start. What I don’t understand is why these NE Sioux Falls locations were not in the mix to begin with? I believe that there are three large acreages east of I-229 in that area.
How were these overlooked for so long?
It’s because the state wanted that public lands property. Thats how it started
How convenient.
Our ‘consultant’. Classic – wonder how much this expert charged for that opinion. And did we really pay over $100k/acre for this land?
They conveniently left off the #1 prime attribute – no NIMBY opposition!
I am sure there are plenty of positions open in the AFL for Monday morning quarterbacks.
Too bad that the DOC Secretary is completely incompetent. There’s no way the legislature is going to pass a bill to let her build a new prison when her malfeasance has the current one in complete chaos.
Hiring a consultant to rubber stamp Lazy Rodent’s “decision” – classic CYA.
We traded a botoxed face-melting narcissist for an empty cowboy hat.