COUNTY EYES NEW SITE FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER

JACKSON -- The Cape Girardeau County Commission says an eight-acre tract of land near South Kingshighway would make a good site for a juvenile justice center, but price could be a stumbling block. The commissioners said the land could cost from $160,000 to $20,000 an acre. The site is owned by the Southeast Missouri University Foundation, and utilities already reach the industrial area along Enterprise Street.

Commissioners said the county could buy eight acres in an industrial area along Route PP for $56,000, but there would be some added cost to extend utilities to the site.

Randy Rhodes, chief juvenile officer for the 32nd Judicial Circuit, told the commission the university foundation land probably would be the best site.

Rhodes said the cities of Cape Girardeau and Jackson haven't stepped in to help with the project. "I don't think anybody is real interested in helping us out," he said.

University President Dr. Ken Dobbins said the commissioners approached him about the foundation-owned land but at this point, hadn't made an offer. "I haven't been presented with a price," Dobbins said, adding that the university won't part with the land for less than fair market value. The land was donated to the university foundation by businessman Lionel Hastings.

Dobbins said the university has sold two lots and wants to sell the rest of the land. Money from the sale of the land would finance an endowment for Southeast's College of Business."Obviously, we think it is a valuable piece of property and has grown in value," Dobbins said.

Wayne Davenport, vice president of university advancement and executive director of the foundation, said any offer to buy the land would have to be reviewed by the foundation's real estate committee.

Davenport said no proposal has been made to the foundation, and it isn't on the agenda for today's meeting of the foundation board.

Gerald Jones, the county's presiding commissioner, serves on the foundation board. County commissioners suggested the issue could be raised at the meeting, at least informally.

The county wants to build a new juvenile center for short-term detention of offenders, ages 12 through 17, from the judicial circuit. The circuit encompasses Cape Girardeau, Perry and Bollinger counties.