The Women's Prison has petitioned to vacate the alley within Block 228 of the Original Townsite of Billings between 7th Avenue South and 8th Avenue South.  The State is proposing to expand the yard for the Women's Prison and would like to fence off the yard, including the alley.  Currently, there is a sanitary sewer line running through the alley.  If vacated, the city would retain an easement for the sanitary sewer line.  The area of the alley proposed to be vacated is 6,000 square feet.

The Council may:

• Approve acknowledgment of petition to vacate the above-mentioned right-of-way and set a public hearing for September 24, 2012.
• Do not acknowledge the petition and terminate the right-of-way vacation process.

The State received a letter from Charlie Hamwey with an opinion of value of the alley.  Mr. Hamwey has valued the land at $3.50/square foot.  The total area of the alley is 6,000 square feet.  Total compensation for the alley will be $21,000.

Staff recommends that Council acknowledge the receipt of petition to vacate the alley within Block 228 of the Orginal Townsite of Billings and set a public hearing for September 24, 2012.