Johnson County seeks deal with feds for land for new jail

IOWA CITY – The Johnson County Board of Supervisors today will send a letter to the federal government asking to swap parking spaces for land that could be used for a new criminal justice center.

The county has had conversations for the past few years with the U.S. General Services Administration, which manages federal property, about the federal parking lot south of the courthouse, at the corner of Clinton and East Harrison streets.

The county has identified the area as a possible site for a justice center, which could include a new jail and court space. It already has bought several homes on the block.

The letter to the GSA says the county is interested in acquiring all or a portion of the property. In exchange, the county would provide parking spaces within a block of the post office diagonal from the parking lot. The county also said it would assume responsibility for maintaining those spaces. (See the letter below.)

The county has talked with the city about buying or renting spaces in nearby parking ramps, according to the letter.

County officials have spent the past several years talking about the need for a new jail and court space to relieve the overcrowded conditions at the existing facilities. The supervisors recently indicated they'll consider asking voters next year to approve a $39 million project.

GSA Letter