July 23, 2012 · Derek

The Future of McNeil Island

Now that McNeil Island will no longer be a prison, what will happen to it? The State has commissioned a study to explore its options, including conversations with area tribes; historic preservationists; former residents; environmental and tourism groups; former prison employees; and state, county, and local agencies.

Aside from prison facilities, much of the island is undeveloped. McNeil is home to one of the largest seal rookeries in the area, and there is still a facility for civilly committed sex offenders, but that’s about it for inhabitants.

Any decisions on the island’s future will be complicated by questions of ownership between various State agencies, and even the federal government. Then there’s the question of former residents who were forced off the land, and of course the claims of local Native American tribes…

A substantial amount of money has been put into the prison buildings themselves, and ideas have been raised for their use as a museum, a brewery, or an Alcatraz-style or eco-tourism center. Other suggestions for the island include turning it back over to nature as a wildlife sanctuary or state park.

What’s your idea?

2 comments

Sarah July 23, 2012

I’d like to see the Warden’s house/mansion preserved and maybe made into a Heritage hotel or bed and breakfast.
Jenny Jenkins July 23, 2012

I like the idea of keeping it as natural as possible, but accessible to the public in some way – maybe campgrounds with a ferry, like Blake Island, but wilder and bigger.