Govenror Parkinson has signed Senate Bill 357 to authorize the transfer of the former Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility property to the City of Beloit.
The Govenror closed the facility last August due to severe budget cuts bringing an end to a facility that has served the state of Kansas for over 120 years.
The Governor's action today means the property which includes roughly 14 buildings on a 23 acre campus, along with 49 acres of agricultural land will be returned to the City of Beloit.
Local officials have been working on plans to reuse most of the buildings on the campus. Representatives from the City of Beloit, Mitchell County, USD 273, NCK Technical College and the community have been working together on this project.
The actual transfer of the property will take some time. It will be handled by the Kansas Department of Administration and Attorney General's office.
Pictures of the Administration Building and available property can be found on the Mitchell County Community Development Facebook Page and on LocationOne.
Showing posts with label BJCF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BJCF. Show all posts
Monday, March 1, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Hearing Set for HB 2450
The Local Government Committee of the Kansas House of Representative will hear testimony on HB 2450 on February 9th. Members of the Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility Task Force will return to Topeka on the 9th to testify in support of the bill that authorizes the state to transfer the property of the former correctional facility back to the City of Beloit.
HB 2450 was introduced by Representative Clay Aurand. A similar bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Janis Lee. SB 357 was passed on "favorably" by the Senate Ways and Means Committee this past Tuesday. It will be considered by the full Senate within the next few days.
In the meantime members of the local BJCF Task Force are working on details in preparation to receive the property from the state and to put it to use in the best interest of the community.
HB 2450 was introduced by Representative Clay Aurand. A similar bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Janis Lee. SB 357 was passed on "favorably" by the Senate Ways and Means Committee this past Tuesday. It will be considered by the full Senate within the next few days.
In the meantime members of the local BJCF Task Force are working on details in preparation to receive the property from the state and to put it to use in the best interest of the community.
Monday, January 18, 2010
BJCF Bills Introduced
Two bills have been introduced in Topeka requesting the state return the Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility property to the City of Beloit. Last week Senator Janis Lee introduced Senate Bill 357 and Representative Clay Aurand introduced House Bill 2450.
The Senate Bill has been assigned to the Ways and Means Committee for their consideration. The House Bill has been assigned to the Local Government Committee.
Both bills ask that the Secretary of Administration be given the authority to convey the Correctional Facility property to the City of Beloit.
The property was given to the state over 120 years ago. Community leaders are asking the property be returned so that it can be put to use once again for the benefit of the community.
If you would like to follow these bills through the legislative process click here and type in the appropriate bill numbers in the tracking box.
Getting the state to return the property to the City of Beloit will open the door for us to utilize the property in ways that will benefit the entire community.
The Senate Bill has been assigned to the Ways and Means Committee for their consideration. The House Bill has been assigned to the Local Government Committee.
Both bills ask that the Secretary of Administration be given the authority to convey the Correctional Facility property to the City of Beloit.
The property was given to the state over 120 years ago. Community leaders are asking the property be returned so that it can be put to use once again for the benefit of the community.
If you would like to follow these bills through the legislative process click here and type in the appropriate bill numbers in the tracking box.
Getting the state to return the property to the City of Beloit will open the door for us to utilize the property in ways that will benefit the entire community.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility
After more than 120 years of operation the state of Kansas closed the Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility. The facility closed on August 28,2009. This is a great loss to the community and the many people who worked there.
Today we are looking to the future to see what may become of the buildings and land that are located just west of the Beloit Junior/Senior High School.
We have a new task force with representatives from the City of Beloit, Mitchell County Commission, USD 273, NCK Tech College and the hospital.
They have met with State Senator Janis Lee who plans to introduce legislation in January asking the state to "return" the property to our community. Representative Clay Aurand will introduce similar legislation on the Kansas House of Representatives.
The reason we say the legislation will ask the state to "return" the property is because the original Girls Industrial School was built on land given to the state. The Women's Christian Temperance Union started a reformatory school for girls in 1888. The Legislature approved $25,000 to start the state facility in Beloit but they wanted the city to secure a minimum of 40 acres at no cost to the state. The people of Beloit donated 80 acres of land and the state took over the facility and began construction a larger building.
The task force has been working to document the land that was given to the state as well as any donations that were given to start the facility. From what we have learned the donations originated from individuals and most likely those associated with the Women's Christian Temperance Union. Anyone with information that may assist us can call 785-738-2717.
While the task force is working to document the origins of the Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility to help build our case for asking the state to return the property. The group is also looking forward to prepare for receiving the property and find new ways to utilize the buildings and the land.
The main portion of the property or "campus" has roughly 12 building on 23 acres of land. Two buildings are currently occupied by the Mitchell County Partnership for Children and Early Learning Center. Other buildings include a school, gymnasium, cafeteria, administration building, dormatory style living units, a lock-down jail facility, greenhouse, shop buildings, a residence, barn and more.
Adjacent to the "campus" is 15 acres of agricultural land to the west and 28 acres of agricultural land to the north.
At this time the task force is preparing a budget and will discuss how the proeprty will be handled and expenses such as utilities and maintenance will be addressed. It is important that the community be prepared if the legislature does agree to return the property.
The task force is also considering how the buildings and ag land can be utilized in the future. They are balancing many options and want to do what is in the best interest of the community.
If all goes as planned our Legislators will introduce their bills in January and they will begin working their way through the legislative process. It is possible a decision could be made sometime by the end of March, 2010.
Updates on the status of the Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility will be provided here on the Mitchell County Community Development blog.
Today we are looking to the future to see what may become of the buildings and land that are located just west of the Beloit Junior/Senior High School.
We have a new task force with representatives from the City of Beloit, Mitchell County Commission, USD 273, NCK Tech College and the hospital.
They have met with State Senator Janis Lee who plans to introduce legislation in January asking the state to "return" the property to our community. Representative Clay Aurand will introduce similar legislation on the Kansas House of Representatives.
The reason we say the legislation will ask the state to "return" the property is because the original Girls Industrial School was built on land given to the state. The Women's Christian Temperance Union started a reformatory school for girls in 1888. The Legislature approved $25,000 to start the state facility in Beloit but they wanted the city to secure a minimum of 40 acres at no cost to the state. The people of Beloit donated 80 acres of land and the state took over the facility and began construction a larger building.
The task force has been working to document the land that was given to the state as well as any donations that were given to start the facility. From what we have learned the donations originated from individuals and most likely those associated with the Women's Christian Temperance Union. Anyone with information that may assist us can call 785-738-2717.
While the task force is working to document the origins of the Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility to help build our case for asking the state to return the property. The group is also looking forward to prepare for receiving the property and find new ways to utilize the buildings and the land.
The main portion of the property or "campus" has roughly 12 building on 23 acres of land. Two buildings are currently occupied by the Mitchell County Partnership for Children and Early Learning Center. Other buildings include a school, gymnasium, cafeteria, administration building, dormatory style living units, a lock-down jail facility, greenhouse, shop buildings, a residence, barn and more.
Adjacent to the "campus" is 15 acres of agricultural land to the west and 28 acres of agricultural land to the north.
At this time the task force is preparing a budget and will discuss how the proeprty will be handled and expenses such as utilities and maintenance will be addressed. It is important that the community be prepared if the legislature does agree to return the property.
The task force is also considering how the buildings and ag land can be utilized in the future. They are balancing many options and want to do what is in the best interest of the community.
If all goes as planned our Legislators will introduce their bills in January and they will begin working their way through the legislative process. It is possible a decision could be made sometime by the end of March, 2010.
Updates on the status of the Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility will be provided here on the Mitchell County Community Development blog.
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