Spokane7
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May 22, 2011 in City
Corrections buildings traced back to Air Force
Geiger center, focus of jail debate, built in late ’50s
People who want to replace the Geiger Corrections Center will have to quit referring to it as “old World War II Army barracks.”
Actually, the buildings are old Cold War-era Air Force barracks.
The distinction doesn’t change Spokane County officials’ argument that the 51-year-old buildings are run-down and unsafe – with long, narrow hallways in which guards or assault victims can be trapped.
“What it really boils down to is Geiger is old, it was never designed to be a jail, it doesn’t help me run an efficient operation and it’s dangerous,” Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich said.
Based on available information, Knezovich and others, including The Spokesman-Review, have referred to the Geiger dormitories as World War II Army barracks.
Documents from the buildings’ current owner, Spokane International Airport, seemed to indicate the buildings were transferred to the city of Spokane in 1948 as war surplus.
A 1948 deed gave Spokane numerous buildings, including two “officers’ quarters” with the numbers currently assigned to the Geiger Corrections Center dormitories: 1330 and 1332.
It’s not clear how those numbers got attached to different buildings over the years, but retired Air Force Master Sgt. Don Kisamore knows there’s a mismatch.
The Priest River, Idaho, resident lived in one of the old Army barracks before he moved into Building 1332 when it opened in December 1959.
Looking at an aerial photo of the Geiger buildings, Kisamore can point out his room: “right-hand side, last window on the third floor.”
The 28-year Air Force veteran recalls that the “avionics pukes” were assigned to the other new residential hall, Building 1330.
“We were aircraft guys,” Kisamore said. “The avionics guys and the spark chasers and the odds and ends, we couldn’t stand them, so they put ’em in a different barracks.”
Later, Kisamore moved back into one of the two-story, wooden World War II barracks that was renovated for noncommissioned Air Force officers.
“That cost us eight bucks a month, with maid service, believe it or not,” Kisamore said.
Pressed for more information, airport officials found evidence that, in May 1951, the Air Force leased back some of the World War II buildings after they were given to Spokane.
A lease agreement shows the city gave permission in February 1953 for 22 of the old Army buildings, including 1330 and 1332, to be removed. The lease was modified in May 1954 to reflect the demolition.
Air Force documents obtained by The Spokesman-Review indicate the Geiger buildings were part of a giant construction program in 1958 and 1959.
Col. Leon Gray reported that the two “ultra-modern” barracks, built by Sceva Construction of Spokane for $668,000, were occupied on Dec. 3, 1959.
A $340,000 medical dispensary had opened nearby two months earlier. The dispensary now is the Geiger Corrections Center administration building.
Newspaper articles said the work was part of a $4 million project that included runway work and a new dining hall.
An October 1958 photograph in The Spokesman-Review shows construction of the barracks that now house county prisoners.
Col. James Dowling, deputy commander of the 4700th Air Defense Wing, conducted a ceremony when the buildings opened.
According to Gray, the wing commander, “The three-story quarters feature ceramic tile showers and two baths on each floor, and individual steel clothing lockers for the 200 airmen who will occupy each ‘hotel.’ ”
“For those days, it was pretty fancy,” Kisamore said. “They had central air and they had heat, and to go to them from those old wooden barracks was quite a step up.”
He said he went on to serve two tours in Vietnam, so the old barracks still look “pretty good” to him.
“Nobody shoots at you unless you try and escape,” he said.
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Orange on May 22 at 7:05 a.m.
However seems like a fine place to reflect upon ones crimes and never want to return.
eagleproducer on May 22 at 9:25 a.m.
I agree Orange. In addition, Ozzy is being disingenuous what calling Geiger a jail. It’s a work release facility that is a privilege for inmates and there are rare instances of inmate behaviors hinted at in the article. If the inmate is one who’ll assault staff or other inmates they don’t belong at Geiger anyway.
Spokane_Citizen on May 22 at 9:42 a.m.
Since the US Army Air Corps became the US Air Force in 1947, and according to the story the facility ownership was transferred to the City of Spokane in 1948, it is still quite accurate to refer to Geiger as an Army facility. It was built by the Army Air Corps….a subunit of the US Army.
D Statler on May 22 at 12:17 p.m.
If it was transferred to the City of Spokane.Why then do we keep hearing our lease is up and we need to vacate? Seems Ozzie’s story just keeps changing. I will still be voting NO on a new jail ! We all would like to live and work in a luxury hotel. This can not be allowed to happen when the people of Spokane are struggling to keep up already. Simple managment changes and sentencing reforms will suit our City just fine. Lets stop this misinformation and please tell the whole truth Mr. Sheriff sir. :^(
Thanks to the S.R. for this interesting article.
Thanks to Spokane County for taxing us right out of our homes.
jddavis on May 22 at 12:19 p.m.
Orange and Eagle are on the mark. It really breaks my heart that criminals have to spend time in a facility that wasn’t built in the past five years. Eagleproducer is kind by calling Sherriff K “disingenuous” regarding the jail facility.
I like MSgt (ret) Kisamore’s statement that the old barracks look “pretty good” to him.
Dazzeetrader11 on May 22 at 2:23 p.m.
Ozz is way over his head with spending ideas. Scaring the public isn’t too good either. It’s been a longterm plan to have a full array of jail, training center, national center, etc for years. Hisw $200 million dream is now down to $175 last I heard in March when I was there for the NCAA womens tournament.
Still it’s a huge expense. For some reason, the commissioners seem to side with Ozzie. All good men but the expense is impossible or so it seems to me.
Much cheaper to stay in town, lose the big plan and make it work where the present jail is. ANother building or two and some parking. Much easier. Much less expensive.
westerly on May 22 at 7:17 p.m.
So Geiger was good enough for American soldiers who died for us but not good enough form scum prisoners…..Ozzie you are a loser. Go to Arizona to figure out the prison..if you have the guts and courage. Doubt it.
DHF on May 23 at 5:39 a.m.
In 1959 the F106 Delta Dart entered service with the 498th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Geiger Air Force Base Wa. It was a AFB at that time.