The Aurora Planning Commission gave the go-ahead Wednesday night to a controversial detention center expansion despite the efforts of various immigration rights groups.
The commission voted unanimously to approve the expansion of the current 400-bed facility to a 1,500 bed facility, with the condition that certain technical issues be resolved. The facility, located near East 30th Avenue and North Peoria Street, is owned and operated by Florida-based GEO group.
Prior to the commission meeting, about 30 protesters gathered in the rain to express their opposition to the project.
“We’re here to inform the public about what we see as a really appalling proposal,” said Chandra Russo, public awareness coordinator for Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition and an organizer of the protest. “These detention centers are inhumane.”
Richard Cress, an Aurora resident who lives near the detention facility, expressed concern over the fact that the detention center is a private facility.
“By making a profit off other people’s misfortunes, they’re turning people into a commodity,” Cress said. “What’s the incentive to let people out if they’re making money by keeping them there?”
A number of the protesters also spoke at the commission meeting, prompting Assistant City Attorney David Lathers to remind the audience of the commission’s purpose.
“We are here to decide a land use question only: Is this facility appropriate for this site? There are 11 criteria we are using to decide that,” Lathers said. “If you want to sway this body, stick to those issues.
“If you want to hear yourself talk, that’s your right, but you’re not going to sway this body.”
Of greatest concern to the opposition was the planning staff’s assessment that the site plan was consistent with Aurora’s comprehensive plan, particularly with relation to enhancing diversity.
“The city cannot have it both ways,” Kara Martinez said, citing concerns about complaints from within the current detention center of racial intimidation.
Because the hearing on the detention center’s site plan was rescheduled from an earlier session, concerns were also raised about public notification.
“When I look out into the crowd, I see approximately 75 people here,” Lathers responded. “I would suggest that notice in fact had gone out.”
Several supporters of the project, including 13 staff members of the current facility, also spoke at the hearing.
Discussion from the commission regarding the site plan revolved around technical issues that are still being determined, including bike racks, designated smoking areas and outside waiting areas for family members of detainees. Edward Spooner, the architect for GEO Group, assured the commission that those details will be included in the final plans.
Included in the commission approval were three waivers to city codes, all focusing on landscaping.
Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier: 303-954-1661 or jsteltonholtmeier@denverpost.com
