FEDERAL DETENTION CENTER COMPLETE, OPENING THIS FALL

A new federal detention center -- the only one currently serving the
state -- has been completed downtown at 1200 Texas Ave.

"We anticipate taking inmates towards the end of September 1999," said
Sean Marler, executive assistant to the warden at the facility.

While not committing to a specific opening date pending finishing
touches at the facility, Marler said an official ceremony to dedicate
the facility is planned Oct. 15.

Primarily serving the Southern district of Texas, from Houston to the
southern tip of the state, the facility will make a considerable
impact on county and city space currently being used to house federal
inmates.

"It will free up a large percentage of county space," Marler
said.

Other districts in Texas will continue to depend on leasing space in
surrounding county and city jails.

The 11-story, 1,054-bed facility, designed by 3D/International Inc.,
spans a downtown block bordered by Caroline, San Jacinto, Capitol and
Texas. A support core containing elevators, staff offices and
recreation/exercise areas connects its two identical housing towers.

The top floor contains high security cells and an exercise area; one
floor is dedicated to female inmates. The towers rest on a two-story
podium that contains offices and support functions.

Located within convenient proximity to criminal and civil courthouses
and jails, the detention center will be used to hold inmates pending
trial for crimes falling into the federal court dockets. Average
length of stay depends on trial proceedings, which could last from a
week to a month, Marler said.

Typical crimes resulting in federal charges could range from
white-collar crimes such as money laundering and tax evasion to drug
offenses. Capable of housing up to 1,116 inmates, detention officials
anticipate fulfilling a designed capacity of 992.

The 25-month project, constructed by Hensel Phelps Construction Co.,
cost approximately $35 million to complete, said John Murph, chief
executive officer of 3D/International.

"The new Federal Detention Center in downtown Houston is far more
cost-effective than other new federal centers, but still achieves good
design to match the downtown environment," said Gary Boyd, executive
vice president of 3D/International.

Construction of the all-adult facility got national attention four
years ago when U.S. Rep. Bill Archer lauded the state's more
cost-effective prison facilities versus those being built by the
federal government, said Ray McClure, vice president of
3D/International and project architect.

After Archer meet with federal representatives, the proposed cost for
building the federal detention center was reduced, he said.

"We are very austere," McClure said, concerning the building's
amenities. "We have given the feds a Texas-type of center. We don't
have carpet on the floor; we have concrete. What you'll get here is
what you'll find at Huntsville."

Downtown community members once voiced concerns about the plain
exterior front planned for the building, McClure said. U.S. Rep.
Sheila Jackson Lee became involved, and the federal bureau of prisons
appropriated more funds to respond to community concerns, he said.

The front entrance exterior now complements the designs of the
adjacent French-style post office, the "Old Customs House," built in
1911, with features reminiscent of the 18th century.

Boyd said the design and construction process ran very
smoothly.

"We attribute this to a very collaborative team on the project, which
in addition to 3D/International, included the Federal Bureau of
Prisons as an excellent client, a professional contractor in Hensel
Phelps, and the helpful oversight of representatives Sheila Jackson
Lee and Bill Archer," Boyd said.