August 12, 2008 - Approximately 13 acres on the north side of Third Street (formerly part of the Chillicothe Correctional Center), is now owned by a development company which is planning a massive housing project for the property. The city advertised a request for proposals as to the reuse of the prison property to meet the needs of the city and the area. Officials picked the Ferguson Group, Inc.’s, proposal, which outlines the firm’s plan to develop 116 housing units on the property.

According to the agreement, Ferguson Inc., of Independence, Mo., must construct at least 58 units on the property within five years of the closing date. In the event that 58 units are not constructed within the time allowed, then Ferguson will be penalized $273,000, minus $4,700 for each unit constructed during that time, as well as relinquish all contracts held with the city. The proposal includes a massive development of duplex and four-plex townhomes to be built in phases. The goal of the project will be that the units be available for purchase, rather than rent.

Each unit constructed will then be put on the market for individual sale and have an estimated price of between $90,000 and $130,000 per unit. Jack Ferguson of Ferguson, Inc. stated that the smaller of the units will be approximately 1,265 square feet and would have a single car garage. Ferguson also stated that future plans for the current administration building on the south east end of the property include a possible daycare center. Attorney Robert Cowherd prepared the contract agreement between the city and Ferguson Group, Inc.

Local businessman Norm Greg voiced his concern about this amount of housing at the open meeting. He stated that he was concerned that Chillicothe would become overdeveloped. Dean Brookshier, city administrator, stated that this type housing development is something that the city desperately needed. He also said that the most important aspect of this project is that Ferguson will be constructing "affordable and decent" housing for Chillicothe.

The state will be vacating the old prison facility and have made arrangements to transfer the offender population the the new facility sometime in November.

August 8, 2008 - Around 11 acres of vacant land near the old prison on Third Street would be turned into a housing development if Chillicothe City Council members approve the recommendation being made by a mayor-appointed prison committee. The city was still awaiting final paperwork today and if it arrived in time, the council could approve the proposal as early as Monday night.

“We do not know at this point if that will be on the agenda Monday night,” said City Administrator Dean Brookshier. “We are waiting on paperwork.” He said that if the paperwork arrived in time to be included in the council’s agenda packets for Monday night’s meeting, the council could make a decision on the proposal during their meeting. The council meeting, beginning at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall, is open to the public.

The prison committee was formed to study options for the best use of the property which is owned by the state of Missouri and is being deeded to the city. The state will be vacating the old Department of Corrections facility and transfer to the new one once it is fully completed. Already, the state has deeded to the city approximately 11 acres of vacant land on the north side of Third Street near the DOC’s administration building.