[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 9, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5381]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 9, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Federal Bureau of Prisons

 

Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for the Construction of a Metropolitan Detention Center in Houston, TX

AGENCY: Federal Bureau of Prisons, Justice.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS).

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SUMMARY: 

Proposed Action

    The United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons 
has determined that a new Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) is needed 
in its system. The Bureau of Prisons will evaluate five proposed sites 
located in Houston, Texas for construction of the MDC.
    The proposed sites are:
    (A) Block 71--a 1.45 acre site encompassing an entire city block 
extending from Texas Street on the north, Caroline Street on the south, 
Capitol Street on the east and Austin Street on the west. Presently the 
site is utilized as at-grade parking.
    (B) Block 76--a 1.45 acre site encompassing an entire city block 
extending from Capitol Street on the north, Rusk Street on the south, 
LaBranch Street on the east and Austin Street on the west. Presently 
the site is utilized as at-grade parking.
    (C) Block 77--a 1.45 acre site encompassing an entire city block 
extending from Capitol Street on the north, Rusk Street on the south, 
Austin Street on the east and Caroline Street on the west. Presently 
the site is utilized as at-grade parking.
    (D) Block 43--a 1.43 acre site encompassing an entire city block 
extending from Preston Street on the north, Prairie Street on the 
south, Travis Street on the east and Milam Street on the west. 
Presently the site is utilized as at-grade parking.
    (E) Hadley-Franklin Block--a 1.43 acre site encompassing an entire 
city block extending from Calhoun Street on the north, Pierce Elevated 
on the south, Louisiana Street on the east and Milam Street on the 
west. Presently the site is utilized as at-grade parking, and is the 
location of Adrian's Restaurante.
    The Federal Bureau of Prisons proposes to construct a 500 unit 
detention facility for individuals who are awaiting trial, sentencing, 
or have other business before the United States District Court. As 
such, the facility is considered an extension of the Federal judiciary 
and law enforcement activity in Houston, Texas.
    It is anticipated that the proposed sites are of sufficient size to 
provide space for housing, programs, services and support areas as well 
as administration, parking and staff training.

The Process

    In the process of evaluating the five sites, several aspects will 
receive detailed examination including: utilities, traffic patterns, 
noise levels, visual intrusion, threatened and endangered species, 
cultural resources and socio-economic impacts.

Alternatives

    In developing the DEIS, the options of no action and alternative 
sites for the proposed facility will be fully and thoroughly examined.

Scoping Process

    During the preparation of the DEIS, there will be numerous 
opportunities for public involvement in order to determine the issues 
to be examined. A scoping meeting will be held in the Houston Downtown 
Library's Julia Ideson Building Auditorium at 2 p.m. on March 22, 1994. 
The meeting will be well publicized and will be held at a time which 
will make it possible for the public and interested agencies or 
organizations to attend. In addition, a number of public information 
meetings will be held by representatives of the Bureau of Prisons with 
interested citizens, officials and community leaders.

DEIS Preparation

    Public notice will be given concerning the availability of the DEIS 
for public review and comment.

Address

    Questions concerning the proposed action and the DEIS can be 
answered by:

    K. Bradley Wiggins, Site Selection and Environmental Review 
Specialist, Federal Bureau of Prisons, 320 First St., NW., 
Washington, DC 20534, (202) 514-6470.

    Dated: March 3, 1994.
Patricia K. Sledge,
Chief, Site Selection and Environmental Review Branch.
[FR Doc. 94-5381 Filed 3-8-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-05-M