4 consortia make Juvenile correctional center P3 shortlist
P3 Authority Executive Director David Álvarez (Credit: © Mauricio Pascual)
Four consortia have been shortlisted to move on to the competitive procurement process to develop a new 600-bed juvenile social treatment campus complex through a public-private partnership with the government to be located in the town of Yauco.
The shortlisted consortia are: Alianza Renacer; Balfour Beatty Capital Inc.; NBC Yauco, LLC, and P3R Plenary Properties Puerto Rico, said Public-Private Partnerships Authority Executive Director David Álvarez and Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) Secretary Jesús González in a joint news conference Wednesday.
The 600-bed project will be developed in combination with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The new complex would feature a campus-like design with several modules housing shared services, which would cut the agency’s need to shuttle offenders between different facilities, thus reducing associated expenses. The government spends an average of $231 per juvenile offender per day. The project is known as “New Beginning” will focus on education, rehabilitation and social reinsertion.
“The focus on rehabilitation is part of the fight against crime and this project includes rehabilitation as its central goal,” González said. “We want to put this project on track to make a real difference both within and outside the gates of what will be a first-class facility in every way.”
A P3 is sought to build a state-of-the-art juvenile correctional facility in Yauco.
In early May, the P3 Authority received the statements for qualifications from 11 proponents interested in participating in the competitive procurement process. Their statements of qualifications were examined taking into account the specific criteria, namely reputation and compliance with the P3 Act, technical, financial and facilities management capabilities, electronic security systems integration, and bonus for partnering with local entities.
“The four consortia selected are of an impressive caliber and have what it takes to successfully implement the vision the administration has for this social infrastructure project,” Álvarez said. “The competition at this stage was very strong. Puerto Rico is now in a position to choose the best candidates to raise the standard of juvenile correctional facilities to another level.”
“We’re very excited to have the best international and Puerto Rican talent to do so. Certainly, we have to maximize the participation of local talent, which is an essential part of the objectives of this and other public-private partnerships,” he added.
The project will integrate a multipurpose room, better access to sunlight, better teaching facilities, common work areas, technological advances, better bedrooms and living areas than those currently available, the use of renewable energy, better visiting areas and other facilities to achieve greater family integration and recreation, sports and healthy living community facilities.
The P3 process now moves on to the next step: inviting the four qualified consortia tu submit specific project proposals, Álvarez said.
