No Bids For Thomson Prison

By aaroncynic in News on Dec 22, 2010 7:40PM

The vacant prison in Thomson, Illinois could stay vacant for quite some time now. The prison went up for auction yesterday, but no one showed up to bid on it.

Though the prison would not be used to house Guantanamo detainees as initially planned, the Federal Bureau of Prisons was expected to still bid on the facility. According to the tribune's "Clout Street" blog, they instead sent a letter stating the Bureau was still interested, but could not bid on the property because federal law does not allow an agency to purchase property through an auction.

The Thomson Village President and mayor of neighboring Savanna, Illinois both expressed their disappointment to KWQC News. Many in the area hoped the prison would be put to use, in the hopes it would generate 1,100 jobs and $61 million for the community.