CLEVELAND — There was pushback against County Executive Chris Ronayne’s plan to move the county jail from Cleveland to Garfield Heights.

What You Need To Know

  • County Executive Chris Ronayne proposed a site for the new county jail in Garfield Heights

  • The proposal would cost around $750 million 

  • Critics of the new site say the jail and courthouse should stay together in Cleveland

Some said it didn't make sense having the jail in a separate area from the courthouse, which are currently all in one building in downtown.

“It’s not a good idea for so many reasons," said Pat Dillard of Greater Cleveland Congregations. "Transportation is just one of them that was mentioned in the council. Having so many people back and forth every single day is gonna be extremely expensive in terms of manpower and equipment fleets and so forth. More so than that, even it’s a central location, the families can come the attorneys can come. The community can also access the jail.”

Ronayne unveiled his plan to the county council at Tuesday's council meeting. The price is around $750 million. He said the new site has more room, and it’s in the middle of the county, making it more accessible.

“It’s been proven in other counties that you can have courts remote from the actual jail services themselves," he said. "But I’m proposing a centralized campus in Garfield with proximity to I-480, I-77, I-71 and 90."

Opponents of the new site would rather see the county use funding meant for the jail toward pre-trial services. Ronayne said he would like to extend the county’s sales tax to help pay for the new facility. The project must be approved by county council before it can be built.