NEWPORT NEWS (AP) - Newport News is closing a minimum-security correctional center along the James River and moving the 124 inmates to the city jail.
Council on Tuesday night will vote on a resolution to develop a plan for its closure.
Read: Closure plan resolution
The city has owned the property since 1918 and has used it as a jail since at least 1931. Its closure could open the 58 acres of waterfront land for other development
"This decision is based solely on the evaluation of the operation and best way to handle the inmates being housed there. It is not based on the issue of the future use of the property. We will work with the staff, the community and City Council in developing a plan for the reuse of the City Farm property," said City Manager Jim Bourey.
The announcement followed a consultant's report saying it would cost $8.2 million to bring the City Prison Farm up to modern standards. The report said the center's poor condition threatens the health and safety of staff and inmates. Among the issues cited by the consultant are problems with security, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and the housing units
In early February, there were 124 inmates at the City Farm. As of February 23, there were 93, City spokeswoman Kim Lee told 13NewsNow.com.
Many of the inmates can perform community work like construction, graffiti removal, and mowing operations on city property and rights-of-way.
The closure will occur by the end of June at the latest, Bourey added.
If there's not enough room at the City Jail at that time, inmates will be sent to the Hampton Roads Regional Jail, Bourey noted.
The center's 55 employees are expected to be offered jobs in other departments.
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