Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz’s proposed 2026 budget is short on frills and headline-grabbing new programs.

But the $2.28 billion operating budget does have some attention grabbers, such the plan to borrow $20 million for a comprehensive design and engineering plan for a consolidated county jail, which would result in the closure of the downtown Holding Center and the expansion of the Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden.

Alden recommended as final site for new Erie County jail at estimated cost of $428.8 million

Officials are considering consolidating all county jail services where the current Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden exists now. A final report being issued by consultant DLR Group found peg cost estimates for such a facility are pegged at $428.8 million.

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