Press Release on CoreCivic Special Use Permit Application
City Manager's office | Feb. 26, 2025
Re: Special Use Permit Application Received for Proposed ICE Detention Facility Operated by CoreCivic
On Friday, February 21, 2025, the City of Leavenworth officially received an application for a Special Use Permit to operate a private prison at their existing facility at 100 Hwy Terrace. The proposed facility would be used as an ICE detention center for undocumented immigrants or other foreign nationals facing deportation. The City of Leavenworth understands that this is an important issue to the community, and we want to provide you with the information you need to stay informed as the City Commission considers how to proceed. We also want to ensure that you are aware of the multiple opportunities you will have to comment publicly on the proposed detention facility.
The Development Regulations for the City of Leavenworth require that “Jails and Prisons” need a Special Use Permit (SUP) from the City to operate on property zoned I-1 Industrial, which is the current zoning for the CoreCivic property at 100 Hwy Terrace. The SUP process requires that a public hearing be held by the Leavenworth Planning Commission. That public hearing is scheduled for Monday, April 7th 2025, at 6:00 pm at Leavenworth City Hall. Public comment is welcome as part of the public hearing process. No final decision is made during the Planning Commission meeting. The Planning Commission recommends approval or denial to the City Commission. Regardless of whether the Planning Commission recommends approval or denial, the City Commission will consider the SUP application at the May 13th 2025 Regular City Commission meeting for first consideration at 6 pm. Public comment regarding the application is welcome at the May 13th meeting. On May 27th 2025, the City Commission will have second consideration of the SUP, where they will ultimately vote to approve or deny the SUP. Public comment is again welcome at the May 27th meeting.
In addition to the Special Use Permit process, there will be other items for the Leavenworth City Commission to consider regarding the proposed CoreCivic ICE detention facility. These items will run in tangent with the SUP process, and will all be necessary for final approval to allow the facility to open as proposed. All items will appear on City Commission agendas throughout the months of March, April, and May, depending on how the Commission decides to proceed. Please pay attention to the City’s Facebook page and website (www.leavenworthks.org), where all City Commission agendas are posted. Please note that no final decisions regarding the CoreCivic facility will be made by the City Commission prior to the May 13th 2025 City Commission meeting.
The City of Leavenworth is committed to providing as transparent and open of a process as we can regarding the proposed ICE detention facility operated by CoreCivic. Throughout this process, the City will be ensuring that, to the extent possible by State law for land use items like this, we work towards a situation that addresses major community concerns. Leavenworth is fully committed to ensuring the humane treatment of all inmates or detainees under the care of any prison or detention facility. We are also dedicated to ensuring that no criminals or dangerous inmates would be released into the Leavenworth community from the CoreCivic facility. City staff is also working diligently to guarantee that core city services, such as police, fire, and sanitary sewer, will not be diminished to the rest of the community as a result of the facility’s potential opening. We look forward to working with CoreCivic representatives, community leaders, and impacted stakeholders to make sure that the City Commission provides the outcome that is best for Leavenworth.
Further questions can be directed to Leavenworth City Hall at 913-682-9201. Media inquiries can be directed to Scott Peterson, City Manager, at scott.peterson@firstcity.org, or Penny Holler, Assistant City Manager, at penny.holler@firstcity.org.
