Former jail redevelopment into commercial space precedent
Helping a state and local government with a former minimum security prison. Hasn’t operated in a few years and locals want anything but another correctional facility.

Sits in a beautiful setting on 100 acres 2 hours from a major city and is 5 minutes from an Amtrak stop that connects to other major cities.

Feels half real estate and half economic development but is anyone aware of successful conversions that started as a jail but ended up hospitality/residential/civic/art space?
[{"id": "j0jnl6m", "text": "Example, although a massive development ($1 BN+) in an urban center. May not be apples to apples, but maybe something of the teardown, decomm, planning, etc is helpful. https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/wm3EYG_Nationwide_Arena_Columbus_Ohio\n\nEdit: Adding https://www.nationwiderealtyinvestors.com/uncategorized/final-pieces-falling-into-place-for-arena-district-20-years-later/#:~:text=Over%20those%2020%20years%2C%20more,sports%2C%20dining%20and%20entertainment%20destination.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "j0jnx6g", "text": "https://libertyhotel.com/", "replies": [{"id": "j0nfh2d", "text": "This is a beautiful use of the space in Boston but I find it hard to draw any comparison to the subject redevelopment. The Liberty is clearly in a vital part of a major US city where the subject property is hours away and clearly not infill land, likely a more modern jail system than what was housed in The Liberty.", "replies": [{"id": "j0o9d05", "text": "The request was \"is anyone aware of successful conversions that started as a jail but ended up hospitality/residential/civic/art space?\"  \n\nNot saying these are identical properties, but maybe having this as an example will give OP another slide for the pitch deck, or an idea for marketing the subject property, or s/he may even want to pick up the phone and call the developers. More examples never hurt anyone.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "j0jo7dz", "text": "Look into mall Conversions. \n\nA lot of these sprawling sites are being turned into work, live, play type sites. \n\nCut a giant section out of the middle for green space, gut and redevelop the interior space into a range of commercial spaces. Add a low residential \u201ctower\u201d nearby. \n\nOne angle folks are using is senior living. Commercial space can cater to senior needs. Medical; optometrist, etc. breakfast/lunch spots. \n\nThe issue is, there is normally an enormous injection of city money into the development to make it happen, hence the senior living angle. Whatever it is that the city lacks, that\u2019s the angle to attack from an EcDev perspective. Perhaps that workforce housing instead if housing for seniors. Maybe it becomes a state of the art rehab facility in partnership with a regional outfit. \n\nThese are very lofty goals that require a truly visionary architecture team, and a shitload of funding. \n\nIn reality, this place will likely be bulldozed after a few failed attempts at revitalizing.", "replies": [{"id": "j0jzfbk", "text": "Except this place is 2 hours out from the city on 100 acres. They're not going to need to build for density. If anything they could plat a subdivision around it, and do a planned community with the reused jail as a shopping/entertainment area.\n\nReally though, we don't have enough information. We'd need to know the site and the culture. 2 hours out from the city might be just around the corner if you're in Texas, but if it's New England you may as well be driving to outer space. What is that 100 acres like? Any water? Mature trees? Hilly or flat? What's the jail building like? Any architectural significance or is it concrete blocks and asbestos?", "replies": [{"id": "j0lmcyg", "text": "Northeast\u2026 on town sewer and multiple water wells. Much of the property is run on solar as well. Property is flat but surrounded by rolling hills and small mountains. Multiple skiing options 30-40 minutes away. \u201cDormitory\u201d buildings could be reused\u2026 more of a campus feel than one large jail. Again, very minimum security facility- a place where the inmates were encouraged to farm/work there.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "j0jo91t", "text": "https://www.southerngracedistilleries.com/", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "j0jqmuu", "text": "https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g294323-d4409805-r286414244-Punta\\_Carretas\\_Shopping-Montevideo\\_Montevideo\\_Department.html", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "j0jz5uu", "text": "Takes some creative thinking but they can lay out well for housing. https://www.liveleijona.com/", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "j0k338k", "text": "Check out school conversions as well", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "j0k7y4o", "text": "\u201cThe Point\u201d is a redevelopment of the Utah state prison. It hasn\u2019t broken ground yet, but looking it up could definitely give ideas about direction to take or what is possible on that type of site.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "j0k9nrr", "text": "Phoenix AZ downtown county jail tower was converted to county offices. [check dis out doe!](https://correctionalnews.com/2020/05/12/outdated-arizona-jail-transformed-into-county-office/)", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "j0kv76b", "text": "Penitentiary to Distillery:\n\nhttps://tourbrushy.com", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "j0kvs67", "text": "PM a link to some photos please.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "j0l0nn5", "text": "Boston's Liberty Hotel", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "j0lc69o", "text": "Lorton Prison Redevelopment northern Virginia", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "j0mgqxh", "text": "Yes a municipality near me has been doing this with much success. \n\nhttps://www.warwickadvertiser.com/news/local-news/redevelopment-of-former-state-prison-continues-at-accelerated-pace-FE547979\n\n150 acre site, they bought it back in 2014. Now has multiple businesses operating inside of it and on the tax roles", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "j0mimhq", "text": "I hear you on the feedback regarding not another correctional facility but maybe they would consider ICE/immigration. Contacting one of the big 4 private correctional companies might be an option to consider. The municipality would see an additional ongoing monetization as well.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "j0o15s0", "text": "Hmm..  from the description a hotel could work. You would need additional features to draw people there though. Like maybe known to host multiple unique retreats or a unique spa pools that you can't get in the city. Being so close to the amtrak station I would imagine it has to be something that I could easily do a weekend trip to for a specific feature.", "replies": [{"id": "j0o1do2", "text": "Keep us posted please! It seems like an interesting project to be a part of!", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "j1dh6dd", "text": "The Court in Edinburgh. Www.codehostels.com", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]