County to pay $5 million for jail expansion land

WILMINGTON — New Hanover County is in the process of buying more land to expand the jail in the future. The county is paying more than $5 million for the land — way too much according to some.

According to the 2007 tax appraisal the land the county is buying is worth half what the county is paying. The property located right next to the jail on Blue Clay Road is appraised at $2.25 million.

The county is paying $5.1 million for the land.

New Hanover County tax appraiser Bob Glasgow says he determined the land’s selling price after comparing the land to prices of other properties for sale surrounding the one the county plans to buy.

Glasgow said, “I think because of the need and the location, and looking towards the future I think this is probably a very wise move.”

The county plans to use the property to expand the jail in the future.

The county may also build offices for public defenders which will soon be required by the state instead of court appointed attorneys.

Glasgow said, “I think because of the need and the location, and looking towards the future I think this is probably a very wise move.”

The county plans to use the property to expand the jail in the future. The county may also build offices for public defenders which will soon be required by the state instead of court appointed attorneys.

The total size of the property is about 104 acres, with each acre costing the county about $55,000.

County commissioners say the price is final and they are just waiting to sign paperwork to make it official.