A new group is touting the advantages of keeping the Eau Claire County Courthouse and Jail downtown.

There are already a couple of jail project groups out there; this one is called Downtown MAJEC, (magic) or "Downtown Movement for an Affordable Jail in Eau Claire."

It's the third community group created with the goal of getting information on the jail out to the public.

In just a few weeks voters in Eau Claire County will get to express their opinion on where the new jail should be built. City Council Vice President Dave Duax says he's involved in the new group Downtown MAJEC. He says it wants to keep the jail downtown because it's the best option.

"The big advantage to downtown is the need to support the justice system including attorneys, public defenders, social services; everything is either downtown or very near downtown," says Duax.

He says there is plenty of room to grow and could help make the downtown even better. County Board Member Ken Fulgione says groups like CAJE and the Citizens Advisory Referendum Committee would like to see the jail moved off site because of cost and for future expansion.

"A lot of counties have found themselves in similar situations and what they've done is what I would suggest is that we look a remote site and we build the jail at the remote site," says Fulgione.

Both men say right now the next step is seeing what the public wants with that vote but it is a non-binding referendum. The County Board Chair Gregg Moore wanted to remind everyone that these groups are citizen groups and are not affiliated with the county even through some county board members are involved.
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ORIGINAL STORY

A new group says it wants the Eau Claire county courthouse and jail to stay downtown.

The group is called "Downtown Movement for Affordable Jail in Eau Claire" or "Downtown MAJEC."

According to the group, it's made up of regular citizens who say the best and most affordable price for the jail and courts is downtown.

The group formed ahead of an April referendum asking voters where they want a jail.

Another group "Citizens for Accountable Jail Expansion" or CAJE has strongly opposed a downtown jail.
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Downtown MAJEC Press Release:

Downtown MAJEC (Movement for Affordable Jail in Eau Claire) has been formed to promote a downtown courthouse and jail. The state has mandated we replace our current county jail.

The group is comprised of regular concerned citizens who believe the best and most affordable place for our Jail and Courts is downtown where they have been since the 1870’s.

Supporters of a Downtown Jail include: Sheriff Ron Cramer..Colleen Bates..Howard Ludwigson..Marty/Mary Green..Sue Miller..Jay Heit..Dave and Kathryn Duax..Richard Spindler..Rolle Hicks..Webb Hart..John Richie. John Derosier..Mike Peterson..{Chairman Town of Washington]…Sheryl Cramer..Kerry Kincaid..Dana Wachs..Bruce Willett and Jeff Halloin.. Hal Davis and many other citizens who believe in the Downtown Location.

The purpose of MAJEC is to inform the public that the majority of citizens back the Downtown Location as the most logical choice for now and the future.

The County Board has spent many years studying and debating the drastic need to replace our current jail facility. The downtown Alternative 1 plan addresses the needs and is the most economical plan. MAJEC urges citizens to vote for Downtown Alternative 1.

Cost:

Construction costs: $59.1 million for Alternative 1 versus $110 million for Alternative 2.

Financing is in place with no property tax increase for Alternative 1, unlike Alternative 2.

The land has already been acquired for Alternative 1, unlike Alternative 2.

Operating costs are substantially less for Alternative 1.

Downtown Economy:

The courthouse is a major downtown employer.

Hundreds of people go to the courthouse daily supporting many downtown businesses.

Two-thirds of the courthouse employees would vacate downtown in Alternative 2.

Security:

The jail is out-dated and the state has mandated the county build a new jail.

Downtown Alternative 1 solves the jail’s security needs in a cost-effective way.

Efficiencies:

Sheriff and Eau Claire police physically stay together, working together, and a new home for the Eau Claire police station would not need to be paid for.

Courthouse stays close to the many necessary providers and services.

Utilizes existing space.

Other Alternative 2 drawbacks:

Alternative 2 is risky: There is no detailed plan as to what exactly Alternative 2 would be or look like.

We would lose prime rural land from the sprawl that would follow a remote courthouse.

Imagine vacating over half of the existing courthouse with no plan or money for re-using it.