San Francisco officials have taken the first steps to modernize its jail system. The plan was prompted by the aging condition of the Bryant Street jail. Officials believe that it is unstable and could not survive an earthquake.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) wants to purchase the entire block where the Hall of Justice is located at an estimated cost of between $7.7 and $9.4 million. The total cost of planning and building the new jail, including a new Superior Court building, is estimated at $425 million.
The County Jail system is designed to house 2,360 detainees. San Bruno houses about 1,100 prisoners and Seventh Street holds 464. The jail at the Hall of Justice on Bryant Street accommodates about 900 detainees.
If the land were purchased by 2015, officials would begin construction in 2018 and will open the jail for intake by 2019.
City officials have not contacted the owners of the land about offers.
The San Francisco Examiner contacted one of the owners, who commented, “Why build a jail on such precious land?”