Sen. John Curtis is warning that reported plans to convert a Salt Lake City warehouse into an immigrant detention center without input from local leaders could backfire when it comes to long-term planning and goals for the state’s capital city.
Pointing to his previous experience as mayor of Provo, Curtis, R-Utah, said he understands the importance of zoning and strategic planning for any kind of building, regardless of its purpose. But moving forward with plans without local input or approval, as city leaders say the agency has done, could have more risk than reward, he says.
“The decision to move forward with this facility via back-door negotiations — bypassing input from local leaders — is shortsighted and likely counterproductive to supporting the strategic growth and long-term infrastructure plans of Salt Lake City’s west side,” Curtis told the Deseret News in a statement. “Local voices need to be provided a seat at the table, particularly as it relates to community impact studies and evaluations moving forward.”
Curtis’ comments come after it was reported last week that ICE had purchased a warehouse structure on the west side of Salt Lake City, prompting backlash from local leaders who cited concerns the building would be converted into a detention center. The $145.44 million deal for the building and 24.9-acre parcel it sits on at 6020 W. 300 South was finalized on Wednesday, according to online property records.
The Deseret News contacted ICE for comment.
But Salt Lake City leaders say the project would be “outside the scope” of local zoning laws and the city’s resources.
“The mass detention of people inside a warehouse is inhumane and is contradictory to the function, values and desires of Salt Lakers, and I will use every tool at the City’s disposal to stop it,” Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said in a statement. “I’ve directed our attorneys to look at possible legal interventions as we work with our federal and state partners.”
Curtis’ statement appears to reflect those concerns, and the Utah senator relayed those thoughts to Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who is being considered as the next secretary for the Department of Homeland Security.
Details about the center are not yet known. However, the agency did confirm to local outlets that it intends to use the space as a detention facility.
Still, a majority of Utah voters oppose having a federal detention center located in the Beehive State, according to a recent Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll. More than half (51%) said they’d oppose an ICE facility in Utah, the poll shows.