PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) –On Monday, Governor Larry Rhoden announced that the third-party consultant for the prison task force ranked the Benson Road site as the best prison location among the options under consideration. The analysis was done by Arrington Watkins, the prison task force’s independent consultant.
“If you followed the prison task force, you know that our consultant did an analysis of the Lincoln County site and five alternative sites, based on several criteria, and scored the Lincoln County site the highest,” said Lt. Governor Tony Venhuizen. “The Benson Road site, though, had not been offered at that time and was not scored. The prison task force’s consultant has analyzed this new site and now considers the Benson Road site to be the best site available.”
Arrington Watkins cited the following as prime attributes contributing to the Benson Road site’s favorable rating:
- It is within a preferred 30-mile radius of Sioux Falls;
- Site utilities, including water, sewer, storm, and power, are available along Benson Road;
- Multiple points of entry exist; and
- Minimal additional costs will be needed to extend utilities.
Governor Larry Rhoden previously announced that the State of South Dakota has entered into a purchase agreement that grants the State the option to purchase land at the Benson Road site. This agreement represents over $10 million savings on what was estimated by the prison task force.
The South Dakota Legislature will hold a special session on September 23rd to address the project for the mens prison.