ICE withdraws building lease plan

YAKIMA, Wash. -- The federal government is withdrawing its current plan to lease office space for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Yakima.

The General Services Administration announced the move in a news release this afternoon.

Budget problems are to blame for the withdrawal, according to the news release.

One proposed site for the ICE building — off Washington Avenue east of the main Yakima post office —  faced opposition from nearby residents and business owners.

Opponents primarily raised concerns about temporary detention cells planned for what federal officials described as primarily an office building

However, GSA said it expects to repost a request later for smaller space in the Yakima area.

The leased space would have been used by ICE agents responsible for deportation and investigations. Those agencies are already operating out of separate leased space in Yakima.

A decision from Yakima’s hearing examiner on whether the contested site was appropriate for the zoning in that area was expected by next week.

GSA said that proposal was just one of several under consideration.

-- Mark Morey