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Commissioners Withdraw Proposed Vigo County Jail Site

The search is back on for a new Vigo County Jail location.

Vigo County Commissioners announced Wednesday to withdraw their February choice for the new jail at the former International Paper site along the Wabash River in Terre Haute.

Some city leaders and residents argue that area is designated for commercial and recreational use.

Riverscape President Charlie Williams says a jail would keep developers away.

"This is one of the things that makes it really awkward because the commissioners and county have been very helpful in allowing the Riverscape plan to move forward. They've given us funding, they've given us support," Williams says.

The jail is overcrowded, forcing Sheriff Greg Ewing to spend almost $800,000 last year in moving inmates.

"I'm in the proverbial rock and a hard place because the only other tool I have is to send them at $35 a day to a county that has space," Ewing says.

Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett says he's not supportive of the Industrial Park location due to the strain the distance will put on the police department.

Plans for the new jail has been in the works since a 2002 jail overcrowding lawsuit.