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GEO Group gets go-ahead on expansion plans

By Adam Goldstein
The Aurora Sentinel

Thursday, April 10, 2008
http://www.aurorasentinel.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=8&ArticleID=18908

AURORA | The city's Planning and Zoning Commission overwhelmingly approved an expansion project to add about 68,500 square feet to a detention facility near 30th Avenue and Peoria Street.

During its April 9 regular session, the commission voted 5-1 to approve the extension of the current Colorado Immigration and Customs Enforcement center, a project that would add capacity for approximately 1,100 new prisoners. Commissioner Dexter Harding, who provided the sole dissenting vote, claimed the tally incorrectly recorded his action on the measure.

"I meant to vote yes," Harding said.

The current ICE structure, which is approximately 200,000 square feet and holds beds for about 400 prisoners, is owned and operated by The GEO Group, Inc., a privatized correctional and detention management firm based in Boca Raton, Fla. The firm has estimated the expansion would cost about $72 million.

Wednesday's regular session was preceded by vocal protests on the steps of the Aurora Municipal Center, as representatives from the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) and other protesters waved placards and chanted slogans opposing the proposed facility.

Protesters hold up placards Wednesday, April 9, as part of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition’s demonstration in front of the Aurora Municipal Center. (Heather A. Longway-Burke/The Aurora Sentinel)

"Detention is an inhumane way to deal with a broken immigration system," said Miriam Pena, director of growth for the Colorado Progressive Coalition. "Detention is not cost effective ... GEO is expecting to earn $30 million."

The Rev. Patrick Demmer of the Graham Memorial Community Church of God and Christ in Denver also addressed the crowd of protesters, questioning the underlying motives of the GEO Group corporation.

Harold Christiansen holds up a sign during the protest against proposed expansion for The GEO Group’s detention center April 9 in front of the Aurora Municipal Center. The Aurora Planning Commission approved The GEO Group’s application for expansion later Wednesday evening by a 5-1 vote. (Heather A. Longway-Burke/The Aurora Sentinel)

"There is something morally wrong about the privatization of prisons and detention centers ... Courts and prisons cannot and should not be produced sufficiently by the private sector," Demmer said. "The very reputation of this company is very suspect ... How did Aurora get involved with such a company in the first place?"

The contentious language continued into the regular meeting, as the Planning and Zoning Commission heard both positive and negative input from more than 20 residents, officials and employees from the current GEO Group facility.

George Zoley, chairman, founder and CEO of The GEO Group, opened the session with an overview of the company, the current Aurora facility and his company's plans for expansion.

"We believe we've deferred to all of the requests that have been made of our company," he said, speaking to the city's array of architectural and landscaping requirements. "There are no public funds involved in this facility."

Zoley also claimed that the expansion would expand the facility's payroll from $7.7 million to $21 million and usher in a total of $122 million in local impact.

While many speakers voiced opposition to the proposed project in terms of social and moral objections, members of the commission and the city's assistant attorney David Lathers cited a specific set of planning criteria.

"We are deciding a simple land use question. There are eleven criteria to make that decision," Lathers said, referring to considerations of landscaping, drainage, architecture and other guidelines specified in the city's comprehensive plan. "If you want to sway this body, those are things you should concentrate on. Your other pleas ... are not acceptable evidence here today in this hearing."

Members of CIRC and other opposition groups said they will appeal the decision and try to get the approval overturned by the city council.

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